Under the Sea Play Dough Tutorial

Gina
May 1
3 min read

In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make our homemade play dough and share the benefits of sensory play.

If you are looking for the softest, squishiest play dough in ALL the land, you have come to the right place. There is nothing wrong with storebought dough, but once you make your own, you will never go back!

Our recipe lasts for 6 months (or more) and comes together in one pot, using five ingredients that you may already have on hand.

What are the benefits of making and using homemade play dough?

Making your own dough takes 5 minutes and it is a great way to spend some quality time together. While the dough is being made, kids will be practicing how to follow a recipe. They will also practice identifying measurement tools and measuring accurately. Another benefit of cooking your own play dough is that you have an opportunity to work on stove safety, patience, problem solving and focus.
Homemade play dough can be differentiated in so many ways. You can add food coloring to create a variety of colors, add essential oils or spices to activate your sense of smell and even spruce it up with glitter!
When you make your own dough, you know exactly what ingredients are going into it.
Once your dough is cooked and ready to explore, it is an open-ended material that can be used to build, create, learn and play!

Play dough is truly an open-ended material with endless benefits. Use it to create, use it to explore thematic play, use it to learn or practice new vocabulary.

It is also the most perfect way to strengthen fine motor skills. Let them squish and smoosh and roll and pull and watch as the magic happens! Those fingers, hands and wrists will be HARD at work and that will translate into important skills such as zippering your coat, buttoning your shirt and writing your name with a pencil.

Ways to extend your learning and play:

Add in your favorite under the sea trinkets.
Add in your favorite rollers and cookie cutters.
Add in plastic or wooden letters, numbers or shapes.
Add in safety scissors and explore cutting skills.
Add in play dough mats.

Materials:

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/4 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
food coloring

Step 1: Pour all ingredients into a pan. Mix the food coloring into the water, then pour into the pan.

Step 2: Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.

Step 3: When it forms a solid ball, remove from pan.

Step 4: After it cools, knead well.

Step 5: Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months!

A Play Filled Life Tips:

Squirt your food coloring into your water & stir before pouring into the pan.
Mix slowly & consistently to incorporate all of the ingredients together.
You can also experiment with spices to add an extra layer of sensory goodness to your dough! Try cinnamon, cocoa powder or apple pie spice.
It is normal to see salt crystalize on the dough. Knead it back in before use. If you see mold, throw away immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of flour do you use for play dough?

White, all-purpose flour works best for homemade play dough. Using whole-wheat flour may alter the color and texture of your dough.

What is creme of tartar?

Cream of tartar is used to prolong the shelf-life of the dough, as well as help to create a silky-smooth texture. If you do not have COT, substitute the same amount of either white vinegar or lemon juice.

What does the salt do in the dough?

Salt is an important ingredient in play dough and should not be eliminated.

It acts as a preservative, making the dough last longer.
It adds texture to the dough.
When combined with oil and cream of tartar, it creates a super soft and moldable play dough.

What oil should be used?

Oil is used to improve the play doughs texture and consistency.