Do It Yourself #2: Playdough (Success!)

Playdough

1 C all purpose flour
1/2 C salt (Iodized or Kosher
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 C water
1 tsp vegetable oil
food coloring of your choice


You will also need

Air tight containers for each batch or different color of playdough you're planning to make.
1 or more saucepans
A heavy duty spoon. I recommend using a metal spoon. It cleans up easier.


Instructions:

In s saucepan (or medium sized bowl) mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar together. Add water and oil and stir well.

If you want to make more than one color of playdough, you should separate the mixture into different bowls or saucepans at this step. If you're going to make just one color, add your food coloring now and mix well.  I used the Wilton gel coloring and found that just under 1/4 tsp worked out really well.

Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it sticks together and is hard to stir (2-3 minutes). DO NOT turn your back on the mixture. It will scorch. Remove from heat allow playdough to cool. Knead until smooth and store in your airtight container.

I noticed that the red and green playdough was very tacky. I don't know if I messed up the measurements on those batches (it's possible) or if the food coloring I used caused the problem. I just added a drop or two of oil to the finished playdough and worked it in. Tackiness solved.

I would suggest washing the saucepan you made the playdough in by hand. That crud would probably gum up a dishwasher pretty bad. Clean up is super easy if you put some water in it and let it soak for twenty minutes or so. The stuff on the sides and bottom of the pan will fall right out (and clog your drain if you don't have a garbage disposal - so have your strainer in your sink when you pour out the water you've let soak the pan).

I was going to label the playdough for my son's class with Muppet names; Miss Piggy Pink, Kermit D. Frog Green, Gonzo Blue, Big Bird Yellow.  Since my son's class was working on plants and flowers that week I labeled them Pansy Pink, Leafy Tree Green, Daffodil Yellow, and April Showers Blue. According the my husband the teacher literally squealed when my son handed her each container of playdough. Score!