Homemade, Non-Toxic Play-Doh

I'm a sucker for play-doh. But how keen are you to give your child a hunk of the squishy stuff without even fully knowing what's in it? Fortunately, I have a taste-safe, non-toxic alternative. Homemade play-doh! This incredible, pillow-y dough will take you back in time, providing hours of fun, plus the assurance of knowing exactly what's in your goop.

Age range: 9 months+ with supervision

Here's what you'll need:

- 1 cup of flour

- 1 tablespoon shy of 1/2 cup of salt

- 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar or Baking Soda

- 1 cup water (lukewarm)

- 1 tablespoon vegetable or coconut oil

- Food coloring if desired

(I've cut the recipe into quarters for the photos- please make sure to use the above measurements)

Directions:

1. In a medium pot, combine all dry ingredients.

2. Add water and oil to the pot. If making a single color of play-doh, add your color in now. If making multiple colors, hold off on coloring until after the dough is fully cooked.

3. Stir constantly over medium heat until the dough begins to thicken and form a ball. Another good way to check for readiness is to make sure the raw flour smell is gone, much like when making a roux.

4. Remove from heat and place on silpat mat, or in a large heat-safe bowl.

5. Knead the dough until smooth. If making multiple colors, separate the dough and knead in the coloring now.

6. Store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. The dough should stay soft and pliable for up to a year, after which it should be replaced to avoid the risk of mold or expired ingredients.

There are so many uses for this colorful dough!

Personally, I made large batches and distributed them into sensory or anxiety management kits for children to use at home. Adding scented edible extracts (**not essential oils!) can quickly turn this into a relaxing activity for bored kids.

The play-doh can be made into an awesome sensory toy as well- make a few batches with various colors and turn it into a sight game, or help your child hone in their fine motor skills by rolling coils and balls. Introduce older kids to chopsticks, spatulas and other household items to experiment making shapes and sculptures with!

For older kids, supply scissors, butter knives, and more to help them with finer coordination and to teach safety with sharper tools.

The possibilities are endless, and they are definitely safe to explore. You might even find yourself as a parent or older student cooking up a batch or two for anxiety management, relaxation, or just to reminisce easier times!

Pro tip: for younger toddlers or messy kids, try sticking a chunk of doh into a gallon sized ziploc bag; now you've got hours of contained, mess free fun!

Make sure to send me pictures of any content which inspires you to create, imagine and enjoy. I'd love to gain some feedback and engagement. You can reach us at redefininginclusivity@gmail.com .

Thanks for reading! Until next time,

-Vaishali