Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (2024)

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Our simple cooked playdough recipe is sureto provide hours of fun for the kids! Follow our step-by-step instructions for making playdough using astove-top or a Thermomix.

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (1)

Playdough (also known as play do, play doh and play dough) provides one of the most valuable learning experiences for toddlers and kids.

Not only does it assist with motor skills such as rolling, pinching, stretching, pushing and cutting, it also encourages imaginative play through a range of sensory and tactile activities.

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (2)

What You Need To Make Playdough

  • salt - cheap table salt works fine (you can generally buy a 1kg bag for around $1.00). The salt helps to preserve the playdough so that it lasts longer
  • water
  • cream of tartar -I use McKenzies brand but you can substitute with any brand you like
  • plain flour -cheap home brand flour works fine
  • oil -you can use vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil etc. I generally use vegetable oil. The oil helps maintain the elasticity of the playdough.
  • food colouring -add 1-2 drops for pastel colours or increase the amount of food colouring for more vibrant colours

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (3)

How To Make Playdough On A Stove-Top

*scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for full instructions

Step 1 - Mix the flour, water and cream of tartar in a saucepan

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (4)

Step 2 - Cook on the stovetop, stirring until thickened

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (5)

Step 3 - Knead the dough on a chopping board

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Step 4 - Knead through the oil

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (7)

Step 5 - Divide into portions and mix through the food colouring

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How To Make Playdough In a Thermomix

*scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for full instructions

My favourite way to make playdough is in the Thermomix! It's so incredibly quick and easy!

Start by milling the salt then add the water and cream of tartar and heat for 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.

Add the flour and oil and mix together, then use the Interval/Knead function.

Remove from the Thermomix, divide into portions and knead through the food colouring with your hands.

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (9)

The Pros And Cons -Cooked Playdough Vs Uncooked Playdough

While uncooked playdough is easy to make (and this is a good recipe to use), I prefer cooked playdough for the following reasons:

  • cooked playdough lasts longer than uncooked playdough
  • cooked playdough has a far better texture than uncooked playdough
  • it only takes a couple of minutes to cook playdough (either on the stove-top or in a Thermomix)

What Makes This The BEST Playdough Recipe

I've been making this recipe for YEARS... from way back when I was a primary school teacher to now making it with my son. It's the BEST recipe I've ever used and it's so simple.

Here's why you're going to LOVE it:

  • it's super cheap to make (an entire batch costs just a couple of dollars)
  • it makes enough for 3-4 colours
  • the recipe can easily be doubled
  • it lasts up to 3 months stored at room temperature

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (10)

How To Store Playdough

Store playdough in individual ziplock plastic bags (one bag per colour) at room temperature for up to 3 months.

If the playdough starts to dry out, simply kneadthrough a small amount of oil.

Tips For Making Our Cooked Playdough Recipe

  • Wear gloves when kneading through the food colouring (to avoid your hands being stained)
  • You can add glitter to this recipe for a sparkly appearance
  • You can add essential oils to the playdough to give it a beautiful scent
  • If you'd like more than 1 colour playdough, simply divide the plain (uncoloured) mixture between several bowls and mix through the colours you would like
  • Playdough can be prepared ahead of time as this recipe will last for up to 3 months.

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Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (12)

Super Easy Playdough Recipe

Our simple cooked playdough recipe is sureto provide hours of fun for the kids! Follow our step-by-step instructions for making playdough using astove-top or a Thermomix.

5 from 29 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Non-Edible

Cuisine: Non-Edible

See Also
Pizza Dough

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes

Total Time: 11 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 batch

Calories:

Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

Ingredients

  • 110 g salt
  • 250 g water
  • 1 tbs cream of tartar
  • 250 g plain flour
  • 1 tbs oil coconut, vegetable etc are all fine
  • food colouring
  • glitter optional

Instructions

Thermomix Method

  • Place the salt into the Thermomix bowl and mix on Speed 10 for 5 seconds.

  • Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

  • Add the water and cream of tartar and cook for 5 minutes, 60 degrees, Speed 3.

  • Leave to cool for 5 minutes.

  • Add the plain flour and the oil and mix together for 50 seconds, Speed 4.

  • Knead for 1 minute on Interval Speed.

  • Check the texture and if it's a little sticky, add some more flour and knead for a further 30 seconds.

  • Separate the playdough into several bowls.

  • Add 1 tiny drop of food colouring (and a sprinkle of glitter - optional) to each bowl and mix together with your hands until the colour is evenly dispersed (wear gloves!).

  • Wrap the playdough in cling wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge (see notes).

Conventional Method

  • Place the flour, water, cream of tartar and salt into a saucepan over medium heat.

  • Stir continuously until thickened. Leave the mixture to cool.

  • Place the dough onto a well-floured board or bench.

  • Add the oil and knead it through really well.

  • Divide the playdough into equal portions, add food colouring and knead until the colour is completely even.

  • Wrap the playdough in cling wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge (see notes).

Notes

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS

Playdough is also known as play do, play doh and play dough.

Salt – cheap table salt works fine (you can generally buy a 1kg bag for around $1.00). The salt helps to preserve the playdough so that it lasts longer.

Cream of tartar –I use McKenzies brand but you can substitute with any brand you like.

Plain flour –cheap home brand flour works fine.

Oil –you can use vegetable oil, coconut oil, canola oil etc. I generally use vegetable oil. The oil helps maintain the elasticity of the playdough.

Food colouring –add 1-2 drops for pastel colours or increase the amount of food colouring for more vibrant colours.

Wear gloves when kneading through the food colouring (to avoid your hands being stained).

You can add glitter to this recipe for a sparkly appearance.

You can add essential oils to the playdough to give it a beautiful scent.

Storing playdough - store in individual ziplock plastic bags (one bag per colour) for up to 3 months (either in the fridge or at room temp). Storing in the fridge will make the playdough last even longer. If the playdough starts to dry out, simply knead through a small amount of oil.

Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!

Homemade Playdough | Stove Top & Thermomix Methods (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in play dough? ›

With this recipe the key is to really make sure you knead the dough well to avoid ending up with an end product that is too sticky or wet. The glycerine is a secret ingredient that makes the playdough extra stretchy and fun!

What are the four ingredients in homemade playdough? ›

For the most part, homemade playdough recipes contain the same essential ingredients: flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, water, and food coloring.

How do I start my Thermomix in dough mode? ›

Press the ear of wheat symbol on the display to activate dough mode. You can then start this by turning the dial. When preparing dough, we recommend that you always use the quantities given in the recipes.

What does cream of tartar do in homemade playdough? ›

What does Cream of Tartar do in playdough? Cream of tartar helps give the soft playdough a super soft texture. Cream of tartar is an acid so it also stabilizes recipes it is used in and for playdough it makes the playdough last longer.

What is magic play dough? ›

It's Magic Play-Doh! This amazing activity has become a tradition in my classroom! The magic happens when you provide students a small ball of white play-doh. If the play-doh changes color when the students squish it...and it will, it ensures that the student will have a great year!

What is the official recipe for playdough? ›

how to make the world's best homemade play-doh. You'll need 3 cups of white all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of table salt, 3-4 tablespoons of any cooking oil (start with 3 and add more if necessary), 3 cups HOT water, and food coloring.

What is the recipe for old school playdough? ›

Play Dough Recipe 5

2 cups water 2 cups flour 1 cup salt 2 tbs cooking oil 4 tsp cream of tartar Food coloring (optional) Add food coloring to water it you wish to color the dough. Mix and heat until ingredients form a ball.

How to make no bake playdough? ›

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and cream of tartar. Add the vegetable oil and boiling water, and using a spatula, mix until combined. Once it's cool enough to handle, use your hands to knead the playdough in the bowl until it becomes smooth, about 2 minutes.

What is a good substitute for cream of tartar in playdough? ›

Lemon juice and white vinegar can both act as substitutes for cream of tartar. Lemon juice will give your playdough a more pleasant scent than vinegar.

How to make homemade playdough not sticky? ›

If your dough is sticky after sitting, add an additional 2 tablespoons of flour at a time until it is the perfect consistency. Store in a zip-lock bag or airtight container, and place in the refrigerator. If you notice the playdough getting a bit dry, you can add a few drops of water and knead that into the dough.

Can you knead dough in a Thermomix? ›

The Dough Mode's clockwise and counter clockwise blade rotations and pauses, mimics the motion of kneading your dough by hand. In just 2 minutes the TM6® performs the equivalent of 10 minutes of kneading by hand.

Does Thermomix prove dough? ›

The Thermomix® TM6 Fermentation mode lets you make yoghurt and cheese, prove dough or ferment any recipe in a controlled-humidity environment and at a constant and low temperature.

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