Coolest Homemade Playdough Recipes

Playdough is a great icebreaker activity!

And with the easy homemade playdough recipes below (edible and non-edible), you and your kids can prepare playdough in no time and at a fraction of what the ready-made playdough kits cost.

You can also turn simple household items into playdough tools, such as cookie cutters, plastic butter knives, forks, pizza cutters, a garlic press, melon baler, rolling pins, etc.

Remember to store the playdough in Ziploc bags or an airtight container so that it lasts for a long time. And here's a cool tip: Add vanilla extract to homemade playdough recipes - it helps preserve the dough, prevent mold, and makes it smell nice.

Classic (Non-Edible) Playdough Recipe

You'll need:

• 1 cup Flour
• 1 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Salt
• 2 tablespoons Cream of Tartar
• 1 tablespoon Oil

Mix ingredients in a saucepan and cook you reach a smooth texture. Turn out onto a plate or piece of wax paper, and knead in food coloring of your choice.

You can add Kool-Aid packages for color and scent, or even instant coffee.

*Important Note: It has been brought to my attention that this sort of (non-edible) homemade playdough may be potentially toxic to animals, such as dogs. Don't let your pets eat the playdough you make. This article discusses the issue in detail. Homemade playdough recipes are fun and I've used them myself many times, it's just important that you take adequate precaution.

If you're not in the do-it-yourself mood, check out this excellent ready-made Play-Doh and Cookie Cutter Activity It comes with everything you'll need to get the playdough creations rolling.

Edible Playdough Recipes

Creating with playdough is fun! Eating your playdough creations is double the fun!

Here are several tasty edible playdough recipes. (For decorations you can always prepare bowls with M&Ms, Rice Krispies, Coconut Sprinkles, Chocolate chips, Red Hots, Granola, Nuts, etc.)

Peanut Butter Playdough

Mix and knead:

• 3 1/2 cups Creamy Peanut Butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 4 cups powdered milk
• 3 1/2 cups corn syrup

Oatmeal Playdough

Mix and knead:

• 2 cups smooth peanut butter
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups powdered milk
• 2/3 cups Honey

Chocolate Playdough

You'll need:

• 10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup

Melt the chocolate in a microwave for 1 minute (stirring occasionally) or until it becomes smooth and creamy. If you don't have a microwave, place the chocolate in a bowl over another bowl that contains hot, but not boiling, water.

Once the chocolate has melted, add the corn syrup and blend.

Pour the mixture onto a waxed paper sheet and spread the chocolate with your fingers until it's about 1/2 inch thick. Cover loosely with waxed paper and let it stiffen for at least a couple hours or overnight.

The chocolate will become very pliable.

Candy Playdough

You'll need:

• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1 pound box of powdered sugar
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring
• 1/4 tsp salt

Mix all other ingredients then add powdered sugar. Knead until smooth, then sculpt and eat.

Have fun with these cool playdough recipes and don't forget to check out the BIG List of kid activities, games, and even more playdough recipes...

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