This super-easy playdough recipe is the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon inside. It's quick enough to hold a young child's attention and you only need a few storecupboard ingredients.

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Little hands can play with the results straightaway, so there's immediate gratification for all involved!

For more hands-on crafts, see how to make slime, salt dough, oobleck and moon sand with affordable ingredients and easy steps.

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See our new Kid's Kitchen series for essential cookery skills, plus easy recipes kids can make and kids summer baking projects.

Browse our family & kids hub for plenty of inspiration.

How to make playdough

Makes 1 coloured ball
Prep 10 minutes

You will need

  • 8 tbsp plain flour
  • 2 tbsp table salt
  • 60ml warm water
  • food colouring
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Method

1. Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix together the water, a few drops of food colouring and the oil.

2. Pour the coloured water into the flour mix and bring together with a spoon.

3. Dust a work surface with a little flour and turn out the dough. Knead together for a few minutes to form a smooth, pliable dough. If you want a more intense colour you can work in a few extra drops of food colouring.

4. Store in a plastic sandwich bag (squeeze out the air) in the fridge to keep it fresh. You can make a batch of colours and give away as kids’ party bag favours or hold a playdough party for your child’s next birthday.

Watch our step-by-step video to see how simple this recipe is:

For inspiration, visit our friends at 5 Minute Fun and discover 5 easy models to make from playdough.

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Comments, questions and tips (8)

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harlenquitezel6666931778

question

Will baking the flour and cooling before mixing, affect how the play dough turns out ?

katius

This was so quick and easy to do. Great recipe, it kept us all busy for a bit on a rainy afternoon!

2429032URMVBe8q

question

Can I use baking soda instead of salt?

caroline.pickering1

question

I need to make playdough for 30 children. How much would this make?

goodfoodteam avatar
goodfoodteam

Hi, thanks for your question. The above makes one ball of playdough, similar to the amount you'd get in one large pot of readymade playdough. It should be enough for 2 children depending on how much they need to play with. We hope this helps, BBC Good Food Team.

ahomeacc551rxSGpFbp

Really Good Recipe and it is really easy to make.

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