DIY Non Toxic Play Dough | Free Printable
We have been making DIY non toxic play dough for about 5 years now. In all honestly, I cannot even stand to buy the dried out stuff from the store ever since my husband’s aunt gifted my children some of her homemade play dough.
It is soft and smooth and doesn’t dry out like the stuff from the store. This stuff lasts for months! My kids love to play with this non toxic play dough with cookie cutters while I read. It’s great to keep hands busy!
Natural Ingredients in this DIY Natural Play Dough
The ingredient list is really short for this homemade play dough. Actually, the only ingredient that you may have to go grab is the cream of tartar. Don’t skip on it though because it is the ingredients that make the play dough last for months.
This play dough really only takes 10 minutes or so to make, and it’s really good recipe to let your little ones help with. I chose to add cinnamon and cocoa powder to this batch because I wanted some color and scent. So fun!
Beware though because the little one’s may really think it’s cookie dough! Since it’s made of natural ingredients, I don’t worry too much.
The Best Sensory Play Activity for Your Kids
This non-toxic play dough is perfect for toddler sensory play because it engages multiple senses at once such as touch, sight, and even smell if you add natural scents like vanilla or cinnamon.
The soft, moldable texture helps develop fine motor skills and hand strength, while the colors can spark creativity and imagination.
Best of all, it’s safe for little ones who are still exploring the world with their hands and mouths, making it a stress-free activity for parents and cut a simply, fun experience for toddlers. I have been making this play dough for all five of my kids through their toddler years, and it’s so easy and fun!
Ingredients for Play Dough:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 4 tsp cream of tartar
- 2 cup water
- 4 tbsp oil
- Optional: food coloring, essential oils, spices
Optional Add-ins for your Homemade Play Dough
- Food coloring. This is a great natural alternative.
- Glitter
- Cinnamon or nutmeg
- Essenital oils
- Lavender pieces
- Flower seeds
- Cocoa powder
- Beans
- Rocks
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Preparation for DIY Natural Play Dough:
- Whisk flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a medium saucepan.
- Gradually add water and oil into dry ingredients.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture forms into a ball.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Once cool, knead until smooth on a lightly floured surface.
- Lastly, add in your optionals ingredients like colors, essential oils, spices. Voila!
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Gifting
I really like giving this homemade play dough as gifts or as party favors. It lasts a long time, and you can really make this seasonal for Christmas or colorful to match party decor. You can put in cute little jars or little party favor bags. I put together a list of ideas to make it your own!
Ideas:
- Leave the dough white and add a cookie cutter for sugar cookie making
- Add cinnamon and attach a gingerbread man cookie cutter for Christmas cookies.
- Mix glitter that matches your child’s birthday decorations.
- Add red food coloring and attach some little rolling pins like these for stocking stuffers
- Dye the dough yellow and attach a star cookie cutter.
- Leave the dough white and make a little bag of sticks and rocks for open ended play.
I made some labels that you can easily download and print to make these little jars extra special!
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How to Print these Natural Play Dough Labels
You will download the labels that will be sent to your after subscribing. You will print on regular 8.5×11 printing paper.You can use actual labels for printing, but I just used paper and cut my circles out, and then taped them on.
Play Dough Storage
Make sure to store the homemade play dough in an air tight container. We have stored our in glass and even in plastic gallon bags. Both work fine. Also, if you keep it air tight, it will last for months.
I like to keep the play dough, the play dough tools, and some thin cutting boards together for my children to grab for easy play and clean up.
Once the play dough gets a little dry or slimy, toss it and make some more that goes with the next season!
I hope this resource blesses you and your family this year!
Non Toxic Play Dough
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 2 cups water
- 4 tablespoons oil canola or vegetablee
Optional
- food coloring, essential oils, spices
Instructions
- Whisk flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a medium saucepan.
- Gradually add water and oil into dry ingredients.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture forms into a ball.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Once cool, knead until smooth on. a lightly floured surface.
- Lastly, add in your optionals ingredients like colors, essential oils, spices. Voila!
Notes
- Store in an air tight container to make this play dough last for months.
- This play dough should not be consumed by kids or pets.
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