LCC's famous cooked playdough recipe

Here is one of the Leelanau Children’s Centers favorite recipes for homemade playdough. We have found through years of experience that the cooking method provides a better playdough than the non-cooking method. This is one of our go to materials that we have available every day for our children. Obviously if there is an illness or children sneeze or cough on it we throw it away and make a new batch!

We store it in an airtight container or large ziplock bag. You can play with it as is or you can add many household materials such as pizza cutters, rolling pins, small plates and bowls, pine cones, Popsicle sticks…the possibilities are really endless with playdough! This is a cheap and easy activity that you can do with your child that helps build so many of their developmental domains such as language, fine motor, cognitive, and scientific skills!

COOKED PLAYDOUGH
1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 c. water
2 tbsp. oil
1 tsp. food coloring

Combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt and 2 teaspoons cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in 1 cup water mixed with 2 tablespoons oil and 1 teaspoon food coloring. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from heat, cool, and knead until smooth on wax paper. Store in an airtight container. We often add essential oils like lavender or mint to add a sensory bonus!