Play Dough Recipes and Clay Dough Recipes for Kids

Best Play Dough Recipe

This is a classic cooked play dough recipe with a smooth texture. It is a good all-purpose dough for rolling, shaping and pretend play.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 10 to 15 drops food coloring or powdered tempera paint, optional
• 2 teaspoons vanilla or peppermint extract, optional

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until the dough just begins to look dry.
3. Remove from the pan and place on a bread board or clean counter.
4. When cool enough to touch, knead until smooth and pliable.
5. Store in an airtight container.

Pumpkin Pie Play Dough Recipe

This seasonal play dough smells like fall and works well for autumn activities, Thanksgiving centers and pretend bakery play.

Ingredients

• Double the Best Play Dough Recipe
• 1 container, 1 1/2 ounces, pumpkin pie spice
• Orange food coloring

Directions

1. Prepare the basic play dough recipe above.
2. Add pumpkin pie spice and orange food coloring.
3. Cook and knead as directed in the basic recipe.
4. Store in an airtight container.

Sawdust Dough

Sawdust dough is best for sculpting projects that can dry hard and be painted later.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sawdust
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon glue
• Hot water or liquid starch

Directions

1. Mix sawdust, flour and glue together.
2. Moisten with hot water or liquid starch until a modeling consistency is reached.
3. Shape into desired objects.
4. Allow to dry until hard.
5. Paint if desired.

Coffee Ground Play Dough Recipe

This dough has a very different feel and look. It is best for sensory play, pretend dirt, garden themes or texture exploration.

Ingredients

• 2 cups used coffee grounds
• 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Water, enough to moisten

Directions

1. Mix coffee grounds, cornmeal and salt.
2. Add enough water to moisten.
3. Knead until the mixture holds together.
4. Use for sensory play and temporary creations.

This dough is not good for finished projects.

Uncooked Play Dough Recipe

This no-cook play dough is useful when you want a quick dough without the stovetop.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/3 cup salt
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup water
• 2 to 3 drops food coloring
• 3 to 5 drops liquid detergent or vegetable oil

Directions

1. Mix flour and salt in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the liquids together.
3. Slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients.
4. Knead to mix.
5. Add more water by teaspoons if needed for the right consistency.
6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Flour Dough

Ingredients

• 6 cups flour
• Powdered tempera paint
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup water

Directions

1. Mix flour with the desired color and amount of powdered tempera paint.
2. Add vegetable oil and water.
3. Knead well.
4. Add more water in small amounts if needed until dough is soft and elastic.
5. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Soap Dough Recipe

Soap dough can be sculpted, chilled until firm and dried completely before painting.

Ingredients

• 2 cups soap flakes
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

1. Put soap flakes in a large bowl.
2. Add water.
3. Squish and squeeze until the mixture is damp and squishy.
4. When the mixture sticks together, it is ready to sculpt.
5. Place figures in the refrigerator to become firm.
6. Allow to dry completely before handling.
7. Paint when dry.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dough

Ingredients

• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups oats
• 2 cups dried milk
• 2/3 cup honey

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
2. Mix until well blended.
3. Knead into a dough consistency.

Oatmeal Play Dough

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 cup water

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Knead until the dough holds together.
3. Let kids mold and create with the dough.

Yummy Edible Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/4 cups powdered milk
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup peanut butter

Directions

1. Mix ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Knead until smooth.
3. Let kids mold and create with the dough.

Salt Clay Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups salt
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup cornstarch

Directions

1. Mix salt and 1/2 cup water in a heavy saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the salt dissolves.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Combine cornstarch and remaining water.
5. Add the cornstarch mixture to the salt water.
6. Cook over low heat until the mixture is thick and smooth.
7. Spoon the clay onto a table or board to cool.
8. Store airtight.
9. Harden in the sun and paint if desired.

No Cook Salt Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Food coloring or powdered tempera paint, optional
• Water

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Put water into a cup and add food coloring if using.
3. Slowly add water to the dry ingredients.
4. Mix until the desired consistency and color are reached.
5. Store in an airtight bag in the refrigerator.

Modeling Clay

Ingredients

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• Food coloring

Directions

1. Stir cornstarch and baking soda together.
2. Mix in cold water.
3. Stir over heat until the mixture has the consistency of mashed potatoes.
4. Turn onto a plate and cover with a damp cloth until cool enough to handle.
5. Knead the clay.
6. Use immediately or store in an airtight container.
7. Dry at room temperature for about 3 days or bake at 200 degrees F.

Baking time depends on the size of the ornaments and may take up to 2 hours.