Making your own play dough is easy. Kids and adults of all ages will love this fun (and inexpensive) toy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Food coloring, glitter, etc. (optional)
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making a Cooked Candle Toy
Step 1. Mix all dry ingredients
In a bowl, mix flour and salt until smooth.
- Adding a tablespoon of alum to the mixture will make the mixture unpalatable and reduce the chances that your child will eat it. Alum can also function as a preservative so that it inhibits the growth of bacteria. Alum is non-toxic, although large amounts can cause stomach upset.
- Adding two tablespoons of cream of tartar can increase the flexibility.
Step 2. Mix the wet ingredients
In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil before adding the food coloring and vegetable oil. Mix until smooth.
Add a few drops of glycerin to make it shiny
Step 3. Mix wet and dry ingredients
Continue to stir the ingredients, and slowly pour the dry ingredients into the mixture in the saucepan.
Step 4. Stir
Stirring will make your mixture stiff but soft like mashed potatoes. If you find the consistency unattainable, add flour if it's too wet, and add water if it's too dry.
Step 5. Allow it to dry before you knead it
Remove the pan from the stove and allow it to cool enough to be safe to handle. Remove your dough from the pan until it reaches your desired waxy consistency.
Method 2 of 2: Making Candle Toys without Cooking
Step 1. Mix all dry ingredients
Pour flour and salt into a bowl. Mix well.
- Add a tablespoon of alum to the mixture to make the taste less appealing to children and thus reduce the chances of them eating it. Alum also functions as a preservative that can inhibit the growth of bacteria. Alum is non-toxic, although large amounts can cause stomach upset.
- Add two tablespoons of cream of tartar to increase the flexibility.
Step 2. Add wet ingredients
While stirring, add the water and vegetable oil to the dry mixture.
A few drops of glycerin can make your wax toy shine
Step 3. Adjust the consistency
Add more flour if you feel your dough is too sticky and add water if it feels too dry.
Step 4. Mix other additional ingredients
Food coloring, glitter or other materials that can affect the texture should be added to this section. Keep stirring until everything is evenly mixed.
Step 5. Knead
Remove the dough from the bowl and knead on a flat surface. Make sure your dough feels soft and even, and scoop any hard spots into the bowl.
