I was on the hunt for a great and simple playdough recipe. I have two young boys. And my two young boys love to play with playdough. Inevitably this playdough ends up dried out because a lid doesn’t get put on tightly enough or the lid is left off all together. That’s why when I had a chance to make my own playdough, I decided to try it! How to make homemade playdough has been on my mind for awhile. So, the simple playdough recipe I found used the stove – ie. something warm, I went all in.
To playdough or play-doh? That is the question.
So the real cost analysis starts with “how much.” You can get little tubs of play-doh for around $1. But let’s be honest, how many kids are okay with one color? And I also wanted to go back to my original dilemma. The stuff dries out. I needed a stockpile.
Simple Homemade Playdough Recipe Cost:
Flour – $0.50
Salt – $0.10
Cream of Tarter – $0.33
Vegetable Oil (not pictured) -$0.04
Food Coloring (not pictured) – $0.00 (it was a drop)
Total Cost: $0.97
Store Play-doh Cost:
Play-doh – $1
RESULT : It’s much cheaper to make your own. The homemade playdough makes at least five times as much as the $1 play-doh.
So, if you’re curious… here’s how I made the simple playdough recipe.
Mix the following ingredients together over low heat until they resemble playdough!
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar
2 cups warm water
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Once it resembles the consistency of playdough, you’ll want to knead it on a floured surface. Be careful, as it’s a bit warm at first.
I have to say that this was a very frugal activity, and I’m a sucker for savings. Are you surprised? I highly recommend making your own. If you’re wanting to make more colors, I would suggest making it over the stove without any color and then adding the food coloring when you knead it. Please note that food coloring stains, so you’ll want to wear some kind of gloves – unless you want orange and red and blue hands.
So what do you think? Have you ever made your own playdough?
Comments & Reviews
Angela Morgan says
Love the play dough recipe and so do my grandkids, thank you. Would you happen to have a recipe for home made clay or something similar?
Lynette says
Hi! I don’t have a recipe for homemade clay, unfortunately, This playdough recipe came from my mom’s experience as a preschool teacher so it’s the only one like it I have. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Deb White says
I used to teach preschool and we always made play dough. Try putting a packet of Kool aide in for a great color and smell. Better than food color. Here’s another idea for homemade fun. We called it goop and it is only liquid starch and Elmer’s glue mixed together. It sort of comes out like silly putty.
Tory S. says
I made playdough for the first time to give as stocking stuffers for my daughters Kindergarten class at Christmas. I left it white and added glitter. I really like the consistency of the homemade better than the store bought. I got 10-pack packages of small containers at Dollar Tree to put it in. I was able to make 20 containers of playdough for under $5.