How to make the best fail-safe playdough - in 12 different ways: step by step guide and video

You can follow our step by step picture instructions below or our video step by step, above: both are super simple and quick!

Here's how to make long-lasting playdough: step by step instructions

You will need:

• 1 cup white flour (130g)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup salt (65g)
• 1 cup water (240ml)
• Food colouring (optional)

Step 1: Assemble all the ingredients and put everything except the flour in a pan to heat

Place allthe ingredients except the flour in a non-stick saucepan. We're not adding the food colouring at this point because we want to make lots of little playdough ballsin different colours. but if you want your playdough to be all one colour (like in our video step by step, above), add the colouring to the pan now. Mix well: if you put it on the hob, over a low heat, it will mix nice and quickly, and the salt granules will dissolve.

Step 2: Incorporate the Flour

Now add the flour.

Step 3: Heat and stir

Put the pan (back) on the hob, over a low heat. Stir continuously as the mixture begins to thicken.

Step 4: Stir till the dough forms

Keep stirring until the mixture is coming together and has the firm (and hard to stir!) texture of soft dough. Turn out of the pan onto a plate or other hard surface.

Step 5: Tip out and knead

Allow to cool for a few minutes, then knead a little until you have a big ball of dough. If you haven't coloured your playdough yet, divide it into smaller, separate balls – as many as the colours you have.

Step 6: Add your colours

If you haven't already coloured your playdough, add a few drops of the colouring of your choice to each ball and knead until the colour is well spread. It's easier if you make a little hollow in the ball, let a few drops fall in into the middle of it, and then work the colour through. Repeat with your other dough balls until they are all coloured as you'd like.

Store in airtight bag or container in fridge.

How to make this playdough recipe in a microwave

• Place all the ingredients in a plastic container and cook for 1 ½ minutes.
• Stir, then microwave for 1 more minute.
• Now follow the recipe above from Step 4.

How to make this playdough recipe without cooking

• Place flour, oil, cream of tartar and salt in bowl.
• Boil the water. Add food colouring to the water.
• Then gradually add the coloured water to the dry ingredients, stirring as you go, until it thickens to a sticky, firm dough. Go slowly – you may not need all the water.
• Now follow the recipe above from Step 4, making sure you knead well until all the stickiness is gone.
• NOTE: this version of our playdough recipe

No cream of tartar? How to make playdough without cream of tartar

Instead of the cream of tartar, you'll need 3 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar.

All the other ingredients are the same, except you'll need ¼ cup (22g) salt (instead of 1/1) and only ¾ cup (180ml) water (instead of 1).

Add the liquid ingredients to a pan and heat, then slowly add the salt and flour, mixing continuously until it starts to form a ball. Remove from the pan and (after it's cooled a little) knead really well – it will feel sticky at first.

NOTE: It's the preservative quality of cream of tartar that means our playdough recipe (above) lasts for so long. So, if you make playdough without cream of tartar, it won't stay 'fresh' for more than a couple of weeks.

No salt? How to make playdough without salt

• 2 cups (255g) flour
• ½ cup (200ml) vegetable oil
• food colouring
• water

Put the flour in a large basin, add the oil and mix well. Fill a small glass with water and add a drop or 2 of food colouring. Pour the coloured water into the basin a little at a time. Keep stirring, and stop adding water when you have a soft dough.

NOTE: It's the preservative quality of cream of tartar that means our playdough recipe (above) lasts for so long. So, if you make this salt-free (and cream-of-tartar-free) playdough, it won't stay 'fresh' for more than a couple of weeks.

No food colouring? How to make coloured playdough without food colouring

We're not going to pretend it won't be faffy and messy but you can juice veg to make homemade food colouring if you can't find any food colouring in the shops. Beetroot juice makes a lovely pink, and carrot juice a nice, strong orange

How to make your playdough even more special

• Shiny dough: add a few drops of glycerine to the mixture.
• Aromatherapy dough: add a 2 to 3 drops of lavender (relaxing) or peppermint (invigorating) essential oil
• Textured, sensory dough: knead in rice or split peas
• Fruity sensory dough: divide your dough into several balls and add different fruit juices and zests; smell and compare
• ‘Mud’ playdough: instead of food colouring, add brown paint or 2tbsp coffee grounds
• Glitter dough: add glitter (obvs)

Read more:

• How to make slime
• How to make eggbox flowers
• How to make an (almost) mess-free rainbow with cotton wool balls