Ages: 18 months and up

Packaged in magnetic spice jars and stuck fridgeside, homemade play dough offers an easy-access activity for your little dough-nut. This recipe, the best we've found, is also inexpensive and super easy to make. If you want to create multiple colors, leave the water untinted, then divide the finished dough into balls and knead food coloring into each. (Wear plastic gloves to avoid staining your hands.) You can change colors by kneading together balls of different hues.

Materials

• 2 cups white flour
• 2 cups water, tinted with food coloring (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 teaspoons)
• 1 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• Plastic gloves (optional)
• Magnetic spice jars (we got our set of 6 at Linens 'n Things for $20) or airtight containers

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture holds together, about 5 minutes.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside until the dough is cool enough to touch, about 5 minutes. Turn the clay onto a waxed-paper-lined countertop and knead it for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Once the dough is completely cool, pack it in the spice jars or in airtight containers. Makes 3 cups.

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Find more about:

• 30 Minutes or less |
• Christmas |
• Clay Crafts |
• Kitchen Crafts |
• Toddler

Related Categories:

• Clay Crafts |
• Table Crafts