Why has my home-made playdough gone all sticky and wet?

[FromGirders]

It's only a few days old! We made playdough last week, according to a MN recipe no less. It was great, and we made loads - we were really pleased with it as it was a good strong colour and we put loads of glitter in.
Put it in a plastic bag to keep it, but now it's gone all sticky and wettish again - can it be revived? Would cooking it a bit more help? I tried kneading in more flour, but it didn't make much difference.
Please help, before the rest of my kids come home!

Are your kids particularly dribbley at the moment?

what was in it?

I use

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
1 tbs oil
2 tsp cream of tartar

mix togtehr with some colouring and microwave for 30 second at a time, stirring in between until it all sticks together in a ball

i have had mine go sticky before and I think i forgot to add C of T or oil.

You can also make this recipe using boiling water, then you dont need to coook it, but if the water isnt really boiling when you add it it will also go sticky.

Hmm, i didn't have cream of tartar, it could be that. Might try sticking it in the microwave and see if that helps.

Is in the fridge? TBH I find home made playdough only lasts a week maximum anyway. The oil makes it pliable, cream of tartar makes it smooth and it, and the salt of course, helps it last longer.

the recipe i use lasts a term at school (10-12 weeks) in a tupperware box.

It does look quite germ ridden and some gets eaten but it certaionly still does the job LOL

That's what I want - something that will last longer than a few days! Otherwise it's cheaper to just buy it. Will try gingernut's recipe, sticking exactly to the ingredients . . .
thank you!

definitely go carefully with oil. I find once it's gone sticky, it's gone.

I make a small amount which lasts a week. The recipe came from my local surestart. It is similar to gingernut's but doesn't require cooking. I've posted it here several times before... perhaps search?

meant to add

i use baby oil instead of cooking oil. makes the dough feel really lovely and soft

Don't keep it in the fridge - the resulting condensation in the bag/container makes it sticky - I just keep mine in a cool room.