How to Make Play Dough

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Making play dough is a fun and easy activity for kids and grownups alike. Cook it on the stove or whip up a tasty version with marshmallows in the microwave. Whichever you choose, get creative! Add food coloring, glitter, and more for the prettiest play dough around.

Ingredients

Stove Top Play Dough

  • 2 cups (470 ml) of flour
  • 2 cups (470 ml) of water
  • 3 ⁄ 4 cup (180 ml) of salt
  • 4 teaspoons (20 ml) of cream of tartar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vegetable oil
  • Food coloring (optional)

Edible Marshmallow Play Dough

  • 1 10 oz (280 g) bag of marshmallows
  • 2 1 ⁄ 2 cups (590 ml) of cornstarch
  • 1 ⁄ 3 cup (79 ml) of vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of water
  • Food coloring (optional)
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making Stove Top Play Dough

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    Measure out 2 cups (470 ml) of flour, 4 teaspoons (20 ml) of cream of tartar, and 3 ⁄ 4 cup (180 ml) of salt. Stir the dry ingredients together until they’re thoroughly mixed. [1]
    • Don’t skimp on the salt. It’s what keeps the dough from being too sticky.
    • The saucepan should not be warm. Do not turn on the stove yet.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    Use a spoon to mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until there are no clumps of flour and all of the ingredients are completely combined. [2]
    • A whisk will help get rid of any stubborn lumps.

    Alternatives to Vegetable Oil

    If you want a sweeter scent , use coconut oil

    If you'd like smoother play dough , try baby oil.

    If you're simply out of vegetable oil , go with canola oil or olive oil instead.

    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    Turn the stove burner to medium heat and start stirring the play dough with a spoon. Make sure to scrape the bottom frequently to prevent any dough from sticking or burning. [3]
    • If your stove heats up fast, you may need to only cook it for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    You’ll first notice the dough pulling away from the edges of the pan as it thickens and forms. Once all of the wet spots are gone and the dough can be molded into a ball, carefully take it out of the pan. [4]
    • Even though you should be able to pull the dough out of the pan with your hands if it’s ready to be removed, use a spoon so you don't burn yourself.
    • Don’t forget to turn the stove off and remove the pan. You’ll likely want to let the pan soak in the sink with soap and water so it’s easier to clean later.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    The more drops you add, the more vibrant your dough will be. A good rule of thumb is to start with 5 drops and then increase from there if you want brighter colors. [5]
    • If you’re making multiple colors, divide the dough into even sections before adding the food coloring. For example, if you want red and blue dough, split it into 2 balls, then mix in each color.

    Additional Add-Ins for Play Dough

    Food coloring

    Glitter

    Essential oils like lavender or peppermint

    Glow-in-the-dark paint

    Rock salt

    Confetti

  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    Use your hands to squish and fold the ball of dough until there are no more lumps. If you added food coloring or anything else, continue kneading until everything is completely blended and there are no streaks. [6]
    • If the dough is too hot at first, let it cool slightly before you begin kneading.
    • You can knead on any flat surface. Lay down a sheet of wax paper on a counter, for example, for a clean area.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    Make sure the container is sealed tightly to prevent the dough from drying out. After 3 months, or if you notice any moldy spots on the dough, throw it away. [7]
    • If the dough gets dry, simply knead a few drops of water into it to refresh it.
    • Resealable bags will work instead of a container. Squeeze all air out of the bags before sealing.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Creating Edible Marshmallow Play Dough

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    Pour the entire 10 oz (280 g) bag of marshmallows into a microwave-safe bowl. Then add 2 1 ⁄ 2 cups (590 ml) of cornstarch, 1 ⁄ 3 cup (79 ml) of vegetable oil, and 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of water. [8]
    • To check if a bowl is microwave-safe, look on the bottom of the dish. It should state something like “Safe for microwave use.”
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    You want to microwave the mixture until the marshmallows are completely melted. Checking it and stirring it with a spoon every 30 seconds will prevent you from overcooking it.
    • The marshmallows will begin browning if you've cooked them too much.
    • Make sure you scrape the bottom of the bowl when you're stirring so the marshmallows don't burn.
    • Depending on the strength of your microwave, it might not take a full 2 minutes to melt the marshmallows.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    If you want light, pastel colors, use fewer drops. If you want richer, brighter shades, increase the number of drops. Remember that a little goes a long way with food coloring. [9]
    • You can also leave the dough plain white if you prefer.
    • Get creative and mix different colors with your food coloring. For example, use blue and red drops to create purple.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    Similar to how you would knead dough when you’re baking bread, stretch, fold, and squish the play dough with your hands. There shouldn’t be any clumps of cornstarch or streaks of food coloring when you’re done. [10]
    • If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more cornstarch and knead it into the dough.
    • Brushing a little bit of coconut oil on your hands before kneading will prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Play Dough
    Since the dough is edible and made of perishable ingredients, it won’t last for very long. Seal the container securely to prevent the dough from going bad faster. [11]
    • Don’t let your kids eat the dough if it’s been in the refrigerator for longer than 1 week or if there are signs of mold.
    • You can use resealable bags instead of a container.
    6. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What do you store it in?
    Community Answer
    Store your play dough in an air tight container to keep it longer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 111
  • Question
    How long does homemade play dough stay fresh?
    Community Answer
    Homemade play dough usually last for about a week before it starts to get hard. Keep it in a sealed, airtight container to make it last as long as possible.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 26 Helpful 96
  • Question
    How can I make it into slime?
    Community Answer
    Stretch it out and apply lotion in the middle. Keep folding it until all the lotion is absorbed. This should give it the consistency of slime.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 82
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Things You'll Need

      Stove Top Play Dough

      • Saucepan
      • Spoon
      • Surface for kneading
      • Airtight container or resealable bags
      • Whisk (optional)

      Edible Marshmallow Play Dough

      • Microwave-safe bowl
      • Spoon
      • Surface for kneading
      • Airtight container or resealable bags

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make Salt Dough
      How to
      Activate Slime Without Activator
      5 Easy Ways to Make Slime at Home
      How to
      Make Water Slime
      How to
      Make Oobleck
      4 Best Ways to Make Slime Less Sticky (With or without an Activator)
      How to
      Make Slime Without Glue: 5 Simple DIY Recipes
      How to
      Soften Slime
      How to
      Make Slime with Shampoo
      How to
      Make Glue Stick Slime
      How to
      Make Slime Stretchy Again
      5 Easy Fluffy Slime Recipes
      How to
      Preserve Play Dough
      How to
      Make Dish Soap Slime
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/
      2. ↑ https://www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/
      3. ↑ https://domesticsuperhero.com/best-homemade-playdough-recipe/
      4. ↑ https://domesticsuperhero.com/best-homemade-playdough-recipe/
      5. ↑ https://www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/
      6. ↑ https://www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/
      7. ↑ https://www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/
      8. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/weekends-at-home/how-to-make-marshmallow-playdough
      9. ↑ https://onelittleproject.com/marshmallow-play-dough/2/
      1. ↑ https://onelittleproject.com/marshmallow-play-dough/2/
      2. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/weekends-at-home/how-to-make-marshmallow-playdough

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make homemade playdough, start by pouring 2 cups (260 grams) of flour and 1/2 cup (150 grams) of salt into a bowl. Next, add 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar for elasticity. Mix the ingredients together. When the ingredients are combined, mix in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Then, heat 1 and a half cups (355 ml) of water in a pan. Add a few drops of a food coloring. Once the water comes to a boil, pour it into the bowl slowly while mixing the ingredients. Finally, let the playdough cool down before kneading it for 1-2 minutes. Enjoy!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 929,529 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Pat Young

        Jul 1, 2016

        "List of items gradients and quantity, explained step by step with pics help to check consistency of play dough ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement