Last week a client asked if we could make playdough. I’ve not made homemade playdough before. As a child, my grandmother would make it every time we went to visit. I remember how much I loved adding food dye to make my own custom color. Of course I told the kiddo we could make it this week.
It was an incredibly simply process. The minute I started cooking the dough, it took me back to my grandmother’s house in South Dakota. There is just something about the smell of homemade playdough. I could almost taste the saltiness of it. Let’s be real, if you had playdough as a kid, you probably tasted it. It’s weird how smells influence memory. I’m standing in my kitchen, making a batch of playdough for a therapy client, while simultaneously being transported to that kitchen in South Dakota. In that kitchen I eagerly waited for the playdough to finish cooking and be cool enough to touch. Because then the fun part happened. Kneading the dough with food coloring. Watching as it almost magically turned from off white to whatever color I picked. I vividly remember once not listening to my grandmother’s warning when I decided to use all the primary colors. Boy was I disappointed by the ugly brown playdough I created.
As a play therapist, I’m always looking for ways to help my clients. This experience with playdough was perfect. The kiddo was able to customize the dough into colors of his choice. He was far more engaged with something he made himself then a can of store bought playdough. He was able to use the playdough to create some insights into his home life. Perfect! Not to mention, there was the added bonus of following directions, remaining focused, and gaining confidence as he created his very own playdough.
This recipe was super simple to make. If you’re a play therapist, try it out. If you’re a parent, teacher, grandparents, or caregiver, ask your kids if they want to give it a shot. It was actually a lot of fun and pretty rewarding in the end.
Homemade Playdough
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon table salt
- 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cups hot water
- *optional food dye
Instructions
- Add the flour, salt, cream of tarter, and oil into a pot. Mix well. Add water and mix until smooth. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until a dough forms into a ball. Remove from heat, place in a ziploc bag or cover with saran wrap. Allow to cool until cool enough to handle.
- Divide dough into portions. Place dough on wax paper, add food coloring, and knead until desired color is reached. **You will need more dye then you think for vibrant colors**
- Store in ziploc bags or airtight container
Did you make homemade playdough as a kid? Have your kids played with homemade playdough? What do you think of this recipe? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
To Health, Hope, and Healing
Krista
Krista Demuth, MS LPC, CATP is a professional counselor specializing in mental health for children, adolescents, and adults. She is a Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional. She is licensed in Wisconsin and provides service to the St Croix River Valley and surrounding areas.