How to Make Homemade Playdough with Your Child

At Aspire Early Education and Kindergarten, we love using playdough in our classrooms, it’s one of the children’s absolute favourites! Not only is it soft, fun, and safe to play with, but it also encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and imaginative play.

The best part? You don’t need to buy it from the store and this one is toxic free! Making your own playdough at home is quick, easy, and uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus, it’s a fun activity you and your child can enjoy together.

Watch our video to see exactly how it’s made, and then try it at home with your child. We’d love to hear how your creations turn out!

What you'll need

• 1 bowl
• 1 spoon
• 1 cup of flour
• 1 cup of salt
• ½ cup of water
• Optional: Natural colouring (like beetroot or turmeric powder) or food dye

How to make it

1. Put the flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Slowly stir in the water.
3. When the mixture comes together, knead it with your hands.
   • If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour.
   • If it’s too dry, add a few drops of water.

Once it’s smooth and soft, your playdough is ready!

Optional: add some colour

To make it extra fun, you can add some colouring: by adding food dye or natural products like turmeric

• Divide the dough into smaller pieces.
• Add a teaspoon of powder or few drops of food colouring to each piece.
• Knead it until the colour is mixed through (this part can get a little messy, so it’s best for adults or make sure your surfaces are covered).

Time to play!

Now your homemade playdough is ready to go. Children love using cookie cutters, rolling pins, or even little sticks to create shapes and patterns. It’s such a simple way to spark creativity and keep little hands busy.

The best part is that your playdough will last for at least a week if you store it in a sealed container or bag in the fridge.