Ingredients
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups salt
- 5 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
- 6 cups water
- Food coloring, about 3 drops of gel food coloring for each color
- Essential oils, optional, 3–5 drops per play dough ball
- Blender or food processor
- Stock pot
- Whisk
- Cooking mat or other heat-safe work surface
- Thick kitchen gloves
- Quart-sized resealable bags
- Airtight storage container
Instructions
- Pulverize the salt by placing it in a blender or food processor until it is very fine and powdery.
- Combine the dry ingredients by adding the flour, powdered salt, and cream of tartar to a stock pot and whisking until evenly combined.
- Add the wet ingredients by pouring in the vegetable or canola oil and water, whisking thoroughly to blend.
- Heat the mixture on medium-high heat, then reduce the temperature to medium once the pot is hot.
- Stir continuously while heating until the mixture thickens and pulls together.
- Cook until a dough forms, stirring continuously to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the hot dough onto a cooking mat or heat-safe work surface, handling it carefully.
- Knead the dough with thick kitchen gloves until smoother and shaped into a long roll.
- Divide the dough roll into portions to create about 12 large play dough balls.
- Add scent and color by making a well in each dough ball and adding essential oil and food coloring.
- Knead each color inside a quart-sized resealable bag until the oil and coloring are fully distributed.
- Adjust the color as needed and store each dough ball in sealed resealable bags inside an airtight container.
Notes
Use food-safe ingredients and containers. If essential oils are added, use only a small amount and consider leaving them out for very young children or anyone with sensitivities.
