Anyone know how to make playdough?

[unicorn]

time for messy play here I think... but can't remember just how you are supposed to make the stuff... is it just flour/water?

tia!!

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its somewhere on mumsnet recipes, i asked about 2 months ago

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1379&threadid=24376&stamp=040508132041

Mix flour, water, oil and salt until the consisency seems about right. The salt is important especially with younger children to make it taste disgusting. Keep kneading it and adding ingredients until it is just right. Then sepearate out lumps and knead in food colouring. I only made it once - we keep it in the pots we used to freeze baby food in, and it has lasted over a year!

flour,salt, oil,water.
twice as much flour as salt, spoonful of oil, enough water to get to the vcorrect consistency.
i do mine in the food processor, you can add food colouring too, i've put glitter in too, altho' it turns up in annyhting else done in Fp for the next few uses!

i find it easiest to add food colouring to the water first, blends easier then

Thanks all@!!
cc
that other recipe has cream of tartar in it
don't need it really do I?

Nah, as long as you just want it for today any old consistency should do!!!

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Can I just point out that you need to be careful with home made playdough, and your carpets. We made some last year, used food colouring to make different colours, and things like peppermint, vanilla, lemon and almond flovourings (the little bottles sold in the supermarket) to make it smell of different things.

But unlike the commercial stuff, if it gets in the carpet it is hell to remove. It sticks when it's sticky, and if you decide to let it dry and vac it out later (which works a treat with shop-bought playdough) it sets like concrete, and you damage the carpet getting it out. So only use it in the kitchen or outdoors.

Oh yes, and it may stain any surface your kneading it onto, good point Easy

Thanks Easy- stick that in for Mumsnet top tips! I didn't realise...

I made the recipe with the cream of tartar and it has lasted brilliantly. Probably made the two batches (one red or rather bright barbie pink and the other turquoise blue - both with not that much red/blue colouring) about 2 months ago and they are still going strong. Kept in the fridge most of the time.

I do try to encourage ds to play with it on the plastic sheet that came with some Soft Stuff that I got from ELC.

but mine has lasted over a year and was only flour and oil - why?

Does the cream of tartar also help make it more malleable? Can't comment really, as I have only made the one type, so have no comparison.

But it doesn't seem to "stick"/"set" as badly as some people have experienced, those times he HAS got it on to the carpet.

didn't read any of the other recipees but here's mine! ( excellent one I have to say )

2 cups flour
2 cups salt
2 cups water
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons cream of tartar

mix all in big pot on low heat. Stir and it eventually becomes gloopy and then firm. It keeps in the fridge for ages and ages. Add food colouring to the water before adding to everything else.
Have fun!

Thanks Yorkiegirl ... every time I've made playdough for the past 6 years I've wondered what the cream of tartar is for!