• About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

The Art Kit

  • Home
  • Arts + Crafts for Kids
  • Activities for Kids
    • Books
    • Playdough
  • Deals
  • Free Printables
  • Homemaking
    • Food
    • Gift Guides
    • Homeschool
    • Printables
    • Product Reviews
  • Products We Love
  • Shop
You are here: Home / Activities for Kids / Playdough / Best Ever No-Cook Playdough Recipe You Can Make in a KitchenAid!

March 19, 2019 By The Art Kit 57 Comments

Best Ever No-Cook Playdough Recipe You Can Make in a KitchenAid!

Filed Under: Activities for Kids, All Topics, Homeschool, Playdough Tagged With: imaginative play, no cook, play doh, playdough, quiet time, recipe, sensory

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Best Ever No-Cook Playdough Recipe You Can Make in a KitchenAid!

Today we’re sharing our best ever, no-cook playdough recipe that you can make in a KitchenAid stand mixer. It doesn’t get any easier than this! Read on to discover the all-time best playdough recipe that has stood the test of time. It’s perfectly smooth, not the least bit sticky, and so easy to make.

no cook playdough recipe homemade

Affiliate links have been included for your convenience. Please see our full disclosure if you’d like more information.

There is nothing better than a freshly made batch (or two!) of homemade playdough. For years we made our one-pot playdough on the stove. But it was a lot of work mixing it by hand!

Today, we’re sharing our time-saving no-cook playdough recipe. We love playdough for so many reasons- the endless opportunities for creative play and learning, the sensory aspect, and the excitement on the faces of our little ones when we tell them we’re whipping up a new batch.

Not sure what to do with playdough? No worries! We will be sure to share a few of our favorite play ideas at the bottom of this post. But first, read on below to see how we make our famous homemade no-cook playdough.

Begin by adding the following ingredients into your KitchenAid stand mixer:

11 ounces (about 2 cups) of flour

2 teaspoons cream of tarter (we buy it in bulk and save- this is the one we purchase)

1/4 cup salt

2 tablespoons oil

Several drops of food coloring into a glass or metal measuring cup + 1 cup boiling water (we heat our water in this electric kettle)

SEE ALSO:  Sunflower Counting Worksheets {Free Printable Pack}

Once all the ingredients have been added to the mixing bowl, turn the mixer on low speed until the flour is incorporated (about 10-20 seconds).

Then, increase the speed to low-medium and allow to mix for an additional 1.5 minutes or so. If the dough is still sticky, add a bit more flour and mix until incorporated.

Then, remove from mixer and enjoy!

How to make playdough - sharing the family recipe for playdough at @theartkit

Isn’t it just lovely? There is nothing like warm, homemade playdough. No artificial ingredients. So soft and smooth. Add in a few drops of essential oils and you’ve just put the icing on the cake!

How to make playdough - sharing the family recipe for playdough at @theartkit

I often make several batches of different colored playdough at a time and never wash the bowl between batches. Just remove as much playdough as you can between batches and you’ll be fine. I typically start with the lighter colors and then make the darker colors but I’ve made a dark brown batch and then a white batch and it came out completely white – you’d never know I had just made brown playdough seconds before.

Want a super simple playdough activity that will keep the kids entertained for hours? Pair a couple batches of this playdough along with their favorite set of Toobs and a playdough tool set. Place everything out on a plastic tray to keep it all contained and sit back and relax. 😉

Want more? Check out our other homemade playdough recipes:

Lemon

Orange

Lavender

Stress away

Peace and calming

Apple pie

Watermelon playdough activity

Arctic themed playdough activity

Into the clouds playdough invitation

Please share this post on social media! Or, pin for later.

SEE ALSO:  Calming Lavender Salt Tray Writing Activity

Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and sign up for our newsletter.

KANDINSKY FOR KIDS playdough art PINTEREST
monet water lilies playdough art PINTEREST
a rock is lively playdough kit kids book review craft pinterest

[convertkit form=5041417]

Don't miss the latest

Book-It Reading Program for Homeschoolers
Orange Scented Playdough {With Orange Zest Mix-Ins}
Counting Raindrops Clip Cards for Number Practice {Free Printables}
Review of Dot-to-Dot Philadelphia: An Award Winning Book
« All About Reading Giveaway!
Book + Playdough Kit: A Rock is Lively Theme »

Comments

  1. Andrea D says

    May 15, 2019 at 8:43 am

    I don’t do a ton with play dough because of the mess it makes, but I do have some homemade play dough availability to the kids right now, and I don’t shy away from store bought play dough much when it is gifted to the kids (except in the messiness factor).

    Reply
  2. Donna says

    May 15, 2019 at 8:58 am

    I’ve always bought playdough, but it would be fun to try making it!

    Reply
    • The Art Kit says

      May 15, 2019 at 10:59 am

      I make it in the kitchen-aid now and it is so much easier than on the stove!

      Reply
  3. Heather Brewer says

    May 15, 2019 at 8:59 am

    I haven’t made play dough in years but when I did I added a few drops vanilla or peppermint oil to it.

    Reply
    • The Art Kit says

      May 15, 2019 at 10:58 am

      Ooh! I love those scents!

      Reply
  4. ko says

    May 15, 2019 at 9:20 am

    I’ve never made my own play dough… Haven’t been much of a fan with the food coloring. Maybe I should try.. but for now, I generally buy them at the store.

    Reply
    • The Art Kit says

      May 15, 2019 at 10:58 am

      I used to add the food coloring after I made the playdough but now I squirt the food coloring directly in a glass measuring cup, then add the water, and then add it to the bowl and mix it all up together. It’s so much less messy. In fact, the easiest method I’ve found is to mix the food coloring + boiling water together, add the other ingredients, all in a kitchen-aid mixer bowl, and then mix it all together on low-med speed for a few minutes. Or, sometimes I just buy the store bought version. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Margarita D says

    May 15, 2019 at 10:16 am

    I buy from the store but would like to make my own!

    Reply
    • The Art Kit says

      May 15, 2019 at 11:03 am

      I make it in the kitchen-aid now and it’s so easy! The kids love it- especially when it’s still warm. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sarah says

    May 15, 2019 at 10:18 am

    I have a love hate relationship with playdoh, but the kids adore it. We buy it- pretty much in bulk. We’ve made it a few times, but the extra mess of making it makes me cry on the inside. It’s messy enough.

    Reply
    • The Art Kit says

      May 15, 2019 at 11:02 am

      I know what you mean! I toss all the ingredients in a kitchen-aid bowl, mix it on low-medium speed for a few minutes, and then wash (or at least soak) the bowl right away before it dries to concrete. It is so much easier that way than on the stove!

      Reply
  7. Ali McDonald says

    May 15, 2019 at 10:41 am

    We do both depending on how we are using it/cost. My kids really like playdough soap but the store bought is better because it doesn’t disapate in the water as easily. We like making homemade clay best.

    Reply
  8. Angela says

    May 15, 2019 at 10:55 am

    I have just made my first batch of playdough for my granddaughter…after 25+ years of making it for our 5 sons. I never liked the texture, scent or mess of the storebought. I will try the no cook recipe soon! Thanks
    Angela

    Reply
    • The Art Kit says

      May 15, 2019 at 11:00 am

      Aww!! <3 Yes, homemade playdough feels and smells so much better. I always make it in the kitchen-aid now, it's so much easier than on the stove!

      Reply
  9. Francine Long says

    May 15, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    I have ‘saved’ several playdough recipes, have actually never made it. I have, however, bought a LOT of play-doh

    Reply
  10. Angie G says

    May 15, 2019 at 12:44 pm

    I love making it myself, but I make a cooked version and add the food coloring after it is cooked. The kids love to knead in the color!

    Reply
  11. Aurora says

    May 15, 2019 at 12:56 pm

    I always buy it, but this recipe looks very easy to make, I would definitely try it

    Reply
  12. Sue D says

    May 15, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    I have a play dough recipe that I make on the stove top that we like.

    Reply
  13. Myra says

    May 15, 2019 at 1:18 pm

    I always make my kids’ playdough; never bought any.

    Reply
  14. Lisa says

    May 15, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    I buy it!

    Reply
  15. Debbie says

    May 15, 2019 at 3:06 pm

    I prefer homemade playdo. I don’t like the smell of the commercial varieties.

    Reply
  16. Nancy says

    May 15, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    I’ve both bought & made PlayDoh for my kids.

    Reply
  17. Gina Ferrell says

    May 15, 2019 at 5:52 pm

    I’ve made homemade playdough with my daughter before and we had fun making it.

    Reply
  18. Melissa says

    May 15, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    We both make it and have the store bought on hand. The homemade lasts so much longer in our house that I prefer it but my kids also love having all the colors all at one time so sometimes store bought is just easier.

    Reply
  19. Thomas Gibson says

    May 15, 2019 at 11:14 pm

    I prefer the store brand versus homemade because I hate making messes.

    Reply
  20. Emily says

    May 16, 2019 at 7:11 am

    Sometimes Ike it and sometimes I buy it. Never thought of using it for math. I really like the counting mat ideas. I just don’t like it in the carpet and the mess they make with it but now that it’s warmer they could go outside with it on the deck.

    Reply
  21. Lisa Ann Smith says

    May 16, 2019 at 3:05 pm

    I’ve never made it myself before, but I will now! Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
  22. Jessica Compton says

    May 16, 2019 at 6:31 pm

    We love homemade play dough!

    Reply
  23. Katie says

    May 16, 2019 at 7:15 pm

    I used to make playdough. I need to again.

    Reply
  24. Ashley Trombley says

    May 17, 2019 at 12:54 pm

    we have the store bought version play sets

    Reply
  25. Amber Kolb says

    May 18, 2019 at 2:20 pm

    We have always bought the store version. I never thought about making it at home, though the girls love making slime. This could be fun!

    Reply
  26. Melanie Hawk says

    May 18, 2019 at 9:24 pm

    Yes, both my boys have loved making homemade play dough throughout the years (my oldest is 18), as well as my nanny kiddos years and years ago and daycare kiddos after that. This is the exact same recipe that my mom used with my siblings and I 40 odd years ago. The best part about the recipe is that if any play dough gets eaten it is not a terribly frightful thing to worry about, depending on amount eaten an achy belly or the runs may be experienced (my poor mom, we just would not stop eating the warm play dough). I am tickled pink to find that you use the same recipe and I highly recommend it. It is an easy one for kiddos to get involved in helping to make and they love to make it, mix colors and become expert color mixers, measuring ingredients, etc… it is also super inexpensive to make, well, once you buy cream of tarter in bulk (I have never understood what makes that ingredient so expensive).
    Yay! Thank you so very much for bringing memories alive. It’s nostalgia for me this recipe and I have been sitting here dreaming about all those wonderful days gone by. My youngest son is special abilities and he loves this recipe too. It will keep being passed down in my family.

    Reply
  27. Carolsue says

    May 20, 2019 at 12:30 am

    I’m lazy. I buy the store-bought kind!

    Reply
  28. Paula G says

    May 21, 2019 at 8:44 am

    I used to always make homemade playdough for my kids. Now the playdough is for my small grandkids 🙂

    Reply
  29. Karla Cook says

    May 21, 2019 at 10:14 am

    I have bought PlayDoh but I’ve probably made it more than I’ve bought it. It’s so easy and I like how you can add fragrance to it.

    Reply
  30. Judy K says

    May 21, 2019 at 10:29 am

    I always made playdough for my daughter. It is softer and nicer to use. The version I had was cooked over the stove. Interesting it doesn’t have to be cooked here.

    Reply
  31. Betsy says

    May 21, 2019 at 5:38 pm

    Looking forward to making it and then playing with it, with my grandkids. Making is so much more nite resting than buying and we an talk about the chemistry of how it hangs together!

    Reply
  32. Rebekah Furgason says

    May 21, 2019 at 5:44 pm

    Homemade playdough is so much softer and longer-lasting than the store-bought stuff!

    Reply
  33. Katie Sexton says

    May 21, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    we do a little of both, the kids enjoy making it but we also pick it up at the store for special occasions when the kids want some of the fun play sets.

    Reply
  34. Debbie Welchert says

    May 22, 2019 at 9:25 am

    I have made homemade playdough at home before and I had to cook it, which I didn’t like. Now that I have a recipe you don’t to cook, I know I will make it again. It has a better texture then store bought.

    Reply
  35. Melissa M. says

    May 23, 2019 at 2:28 pm

    So far, I have always made my son’s play dough on the stovetop—all two batches of it!

    Reply
  36. Riley Romatz says

    May 24, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    I usually buy it, but I think it’d be fun to make some with them this summer!

    Reply
  37. J says

    May 25, 2019 at 12:12 am

    I’m a kindergarten teacher and I make playdough ALL THE TIME! My favourite thing to do is add cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and make gingerbread playdough or cocoa to make chocolate playdough

    Reply
  38. Danyel says

    May 25, 2019 at 9:07 pm

    I generally just get the store bought version. Maybe we will trying making it sometime though. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  39. Michelle Catallo says

    May 26, 2019 at 1:13 pm

    All my kids enjoy playing with play-doh and while I have made it at home, I normally buy it.

    Reply
  40. Simone Maltais says

    May 26, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    I usually buy it but love trying g DIY stuff.

    Reply
  41. Patricia Brown says

    May 27, 2019 at 11:08 am

    I love to make and use home made play dough. It lasts so much longer and you get so much more bang for your buck compared to store bought brands.

    Reply
  42. Trudy says

    May 27, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    I make homemade playdough all the time, but on the stove. I’ll have to try just adding boiling water. Homemade playdough stays softer longer.

    Reply
  43. Brandy Austin says

    May 27, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    I’ve done both ways. Kids love playing with play-doh

    Reply
  44. Donna Cress says

    May 28, 2019 at 2:51 am

    I do both. I have made it on the stove for years but I also buy it when its on sale.
    Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  45. Antoinette M says

    May 28, 2019 at 6:41 am

    I have made play dough, but I’ve also bought some in store.

    Reply
  46. Jody says

    May 28, 2019 at 7:56 am

    I have never made it, but this recipe looks very easy. I have to say, though, there is something about the smell of purchased playdough that makes me feel like a kid again.

    Reply
  47. Deena says

    May 28, 2019 at 11:14 am

    I have bought play-doh and have made it at home. Probably bought it more then not. My last 5 at home really enjoy playdoh so i will probably try your recipe soon!

    Reply
  48. Kylie A Frazier says

    May 28, 2019 at 11:40 am

    I usually buy store bought 🙂

    Reply
  49. Tessa Spears says

    May 28, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    This recipe and method looks great! We have made homemade and bought, but usually we buy play-doh.

    Reply
  50. Stephanie S says

    May 28, 2019 at 1:36 pm

    Honestly we have not used any in awhile because they got all dried up. So this would be cool to try. Ive never done a homemade recipe before!

    Reply
  51. Sarah Fenner says

    May 28, 2019 at 3:07 pm

    I’ve always had a NO play doh rule for the house so I never bought any. A few months ago my son got some for his birthday and was really happy. So I set him outside with a table and chair and he had a great time. But this spring has been really rainy. He was dying to play with it when it was cold and windy and rainy outside so I let him play in the laundry room since there’s no flooring in there. It has to stay contained tho or no more! I have also not been a fan of the chemicals in the store bought stuff and I’ve been thinking of making my own! Actually excited now to make this!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

hazel-village-coupon-code-sale

Homeschool Organization Challenge

Copyright © 2019 · Captivating Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNoRead more
Revoke Cookies