Looking for the best ever homemade play dough recipe? This is it! This homemade play dough is no-cook, all natural and gluten-free (for kiddo's that have gluten allergies and may still be prone to taste-test everything). If you don't want to make it gluten-free, you can easily swap out the gluten-free flour in my recipe with regular all-purpose flour.
This play dough recipe only requires a very simple list of supplies, and it only takes about five minutes to whip up a big batch. We made all five colors pictured, with one batch.
If your child is past the taste-testing phase, you can also add a drop or two of your favorite kid-safe essential oils to your homemade play dough. I added a different kid-safe essential oil to each of the different colors, and my toddler loves it! It's a super fun and creative sensory experience, with the added benefits of aroma therapy. This play dough keeps for months, when stored in air tight plastic containers.
Grab my recipe for the best ever homemade play dough, below
Best Ever Homemade Play Dough Recipe {All Natural + Gluten-Free}
Recipe yields: About 6 cups of prepared homemade play dough
Prep time: About 5 Minutes
- A metal mixing bowl
- Plastic throw away gloves (to prevent your hands from staining from the food coloring while you're kneading the gel coloring into the dough)
- 4 cups gluten-free flour (we use Cup4Cup brand - you can find it at Target and online) - you can also easily substitute the gluten-free flour with all-purpose flour. We have allergies in our house so we opt for gluten-free.
- 4 tablespoons oil
- 1 cup salt
- 4 tablespoons cream of tartar
- About 3 cups of boiling water (add slowly as you knead the dough until it the consistency feels just right)
- All natural gel food coloring (found at most health food stores and some craft stores)
- Air-tight plastic storage containers to store your homemade play dough
- Optional: Kid safe essential oil (1-2 drops)
How to:
- Add the gluten-free flour, salt, and oil in a large metal mixing bowl. Combine well
- Slowly add bowling water to mixing bowl. Stir/fold ingredients and water until it becomes a slightly sticky combined dough.
- Form ingredients into a ball and remove from bowl. Knead dough to remove any lumps.
- Next, separate dough into five equally sized balls.
- Add 4-5 drops of the desired color of natural gel food coloring to your play dough (1 ball of dough/color at a time). Knead/fold dough until coloring has evenly dyed the play dough. Add a few more drops of natural gel food coloring to create brighter colors.
- Optional: Add 1-2 drops of your favorite kid-safe essential oils for an added sensory / aroma therapy experience while you play & create! ( note: use only for tots that are past the phase of taste-testing everything)
- Store in air-tight plastic containers in a cool dry place. When stored properly, this homemade play dough lasts for 5-6 months. If dough starts to dry out a bit, simply add a drop or two of oil + a drop or two of water and knead it into the play dough to refresh the consistency.
Play, create, and have FUN!