Greenlight logo
Greenlight logo
kids doing arts and crafts
Beginner

Craft your own playdough™ for endless fun

Share via

For parents seeking ways to engage their kids in creative, educational, and sensory-rich activities, look no further than the humble power of playdough! This colorful dough offers a world of possibilities for open-ended play, fostering imagination, boosting development, and strengthening the parent-child bond.

But you can unlock these benefits without breaking the bank. Forget expensive store-bought brands – crafting DIY playdough is easier and more affordable than you might think!

A pinch of imagination, a dash of fun: Easy DIY playdough recipe

This simple recipe requires only a handful of common ingredients you probably already have, and you can whip it up in minutes. Play around and adjust the colors and textures to whatever your child likes.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup salt

  • 2 tablespoons cream of tartar

  • 1 cup water-soluble food coloring (optional)

  • Essential oils (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Slowly add water, mixing until a soft dough forms.

  2. Knead for several minutes until smooth and elastic.

  3. Add food coloring or essential oils for desired customization.

  4. For vibrant colors, use gel food coloring.

  5. Try adding a few drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil for a natural, slightly earthy scent.

  6. Store your playdough in an airtight container for several weeks.

Beyond the dough: Playful activities and sensory exploration

With your homemade playdough ready, the possibilities are endless! Here are a few ideas to inspire playful learning:

Sensory bin fun: Create a sensory bin filled with rice, beans, buttons, pasta, or other textures for kids to explore alongside their playdough creations.

Cookie cutter creations: Encourage your child to use cookie cutters to make shapes and figures. This is a great way to practice fine motor skills and color recognition.

Playdough playdate: Invite friends over for a playdough party! Kids can share their creations, collaborate on projects, and enjoy social interaction.

Spark imagination: Use playdough to build castles, animals, and other imaginative creations. Let your child's imagination guide the way!

Learning through play: Incorporate counting, colors, and shapes into your playdough activities. This can be a fun and effective way to reinforce important early learning concepts.

What will you and your kids make with this recipe? We're sure whatever you create will be as unique as you and your family🌟

To further support your child's development, visit our Greenlight Learning Center for resources on family finance, budgeting, and more.


Share via

Hey, $mart parents 👋

Teach money lessons at home with Greenlight’s $mart Parent newsletter. Money tips, insights, and fun family trivia — delivered every month.

Try Greenlight today.

Plans start at just $5.99/month for the whole family. Includes up to five kids.

Read how we use and collect your information by visiting our Privacy Statement.