DIY Homemade Play-do

About the most fun any kid can have is playing with play-do.  But who really wants to buy that little tiny container from the store only to have to end up with a brownish-blackish-mucky color that only lasts for about a week or so before it dries out?  Growing up, my mom always made our own play-do.  I don't remember buying it from the store very often, and after having my own children, I started making my own play-do.  So simple!  And the kids love to help with it!

For a single batch-

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• ½ cup salt
• 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 cup of water
• food coloring (optional)
• extract (optional)

For a quadruple batch- This is the size batch I always make

• 4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of salt
• 8 teaspoons of cream of tartar
• 4 tablespoons of oil
• 4 cups of water
• food coloring (optional)
• extract (optional)

Add the food coloring to the water to make whatever color you want.  You will appreciate this later step later.

Mix all dry ingredients together.  Add oil and whisk until even.  Add water and whisk until mixed evenly.

Put the mixture on the stove on medium heat  and stir constantly with a spoon until one big ball forms.  Do not let it sit while on the heat.  Drop the ball onto a flat surface and knead until cool.  It will be hot coming straight out of the pot, so beware. 

A good choice for scenting the play-do is peppermint, orange, or almond. 

And enjoy!  Your kids will LOVE you for it!  And mine always lasts longer than the store bought stuff.

Mix all dry ingredients together, then add oil and whisk.

Add the colored water and whisk again.

Stir on medium heat until one big ball forms.

Knead until cool.