DIY Taste-Safe Play-Doh: A Fun, Safe, and Easy Recipe for Kids

If you were a kid before the slime era, you probably remember playing with Play-Doh as a kid - and to be honest, you probably also tried tasting it at least once only to be violently disgusted after the fact. If you are now a parent, we have higher standard now when it comes to our little ones. Here is an opportunity to provide them with safe, fun, and enriching activities (and one you can say you made all on your own).

Play-Doh at home!

Why Make Play-Doh at Home?

Commercial Play-Doh often contains preservatives, artificial fragrances, and other chemicals that are typically harmful if ingested. While it’s labeled non-toxic, it’s not exactly taste-safe—and we all know kids love exploring with their mouths. Making your own Play-Doh gives you peace of mind, knowing exactly what’s in it and how it’s made. Plus, it’s an easy, fun project you can brag about to your friends and family!

Everything you need you probably already have!

Mix your dry Ingredients

Once wet ingredients are mixed in (Including food coloring)

Dough starts to form after 5 minutes of heat and mixing

Set aside to cool for 1 minute and knead until smooth

Rolling Pin and Cookie Cutter for play (Affiliate links below - I do earn a small commission on all sales)

Benefits of Play-Doh

Play-Doh isn’t just fun; it’s also a fantastic sensory tool that can help introduce a variety of other skills:

• Fine Motor Skills: Rolling snakes, cutting shapes, and using cookie cutters helps improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

• Encouraging Creativity: Your child can create endless shapes, patterns, and designs.

• Quality Time: Making Play-Doh together is a memory-making activity you’ll both treasure.

Ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup salt

• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1 1/4 cups water (room temperature or warm)

• Optional: Food Coloring

  
  

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a medium pot.

2. In a measuring cup, mix the vegetable oil with the water.

3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture. Stir until well combined. If you’re adding food coloring, now is the time to mix it in!

4. Turn your stove eye to medium and stir/fold continuously for about 6 minutes, or until it forms a dough.

5. Remove the dough from the heat and let it cool slightly. Once cool, knead it until smooth.

   
   

And that’s it! You now have a batch of soft, safe Play-Doh ready for endless fun.

If you’re inspired to try this at home, here are a few tools we used:

• Wooden Kitchen Utensil Set

• Child Safe Cookie-Cutters

Taste-safe Sensory Fun!

This has been the most successful sensory idea I have introduced my daughter to, her love for cooking/cookware and the smooth and squishy feeling of the Play-Doh has had her hooked for days!

Tips For Success

• Storage: Keep the Play-Doh in an airtight container/ Freezer bag to extend its shelf life. It should last up to One Year.

• Custom Colors: Experiment with food coloring to make vibrant, fun shades. You can even mix colors for more variety. If your child is learning colors this is a great tool!

• Add-Ons: Glitter, essential oils (for a subtle scent), or flower petals can make the Play-Doh even more special.

No matter how you choose to use the Play-Doh or if you intend to let your child run wild with their imagination, you can do so knowing that they are safe - because YOU made it!

Visit TikTok for a video tutorial

Happy Kneading!

LB