And then playing with it! Play-doh is easy to make at home, and fun for kids of all ages. Trust me, I know. Ahem… Here’s how to make your own non-toxic doh with custom colors.

This is the classic method that involves a bit of cooking on the stove. I prefer it because cooked play dough has a better texture than the uncooked varieties.

Warning: Keep away from dogs and other pets.  Play dough contains lots of salt and a dog can eat enough to cause a dangerous salt imbalance. I wouldn’t recommend letting kids or people eating it either. So no taste testing…it is pretty gross.

This play is only slightly different from the store bought play doh. I mean aside from the colors will probably be more pale of course. Though it WILL play exactly the same! You can use the play doh tools too, though we usually use cookie cutters and plastic silverware.

1. Ingredients
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)
Food coloring

2. Mix and heat
Mix all of the ingredients together, and stir over low heat. The dough will begin to thicken until it resembles mashed potatoes. When the dough pulls away from the sides and clumps in the center, as shown below, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool enough to handle.
IMPORTANT NOTE: if your play dough is still sticky, you simply need to cook it longer

3. Knead & color
Turn the dough out onto a clean counter or silicone mat (I used a bowl so my counter didn’t turn red or green) and knead vigorously until it becomes silky-smooth. Divide the dough into balls for coloring. Make a divot in the center of the ball, and drop some food coloring in. Fold the dough over, working the food color through the body of the dough, trying to keep the raw dye away from your hands and the counter. …

4. Play and store
Play with your play dough- I really don’t need to help you there. It’s entirely edible, if a bit salty, so it’s kid-safe. When you’re done store it in an air-tight container. If it begins to dry out, you can knead a bit of water in again to soften the dough back to useability. Once it’s dried past a certain point, however, you’ll just have to start over.

“It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.”
~Dr Suess