This Playdough Recipe without Cream of Tartar is the game-changing hack every parent needs to know when the kids are bored and you’re short on supplies.
No need to run to the store or skip the fun—this super easy craft idea comes together with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Whether you’re planning a rainy day activity or just want a quick, mess-free way to spark creativity, this dough is soft, squishy, and totally kid-approved.
You’ll learn step-by-step how to make your own batch in minutes—no fancy tools or ingredients required.
How to Make Play Dough Without Cream of Tartar
Mix 1 cup of flour and ½ cup of salt in a large bowl.
In a separate cup, combine ½ cup warm water with a few drops of food coloring, then stir in 2 teaspoons of oil.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until it starts to come together—using your hands works great!
Knead the dough until it’s soft, smooth, and ready for play. Don’t rush this step! Kneading helps the dough become soft and pliable.
You can easily whip up multiple colorful batches with this simple, no-cook recipe!
The dough may not stay soft as long and might be a little less stretchy. Cream of tartar helps stabilize and preserve the dough, giving it a smoother texture and longer shelf life. That said, plenty of people make perfectly fun, soft, and squishy play dough without it—especially for short-term use. Just store it in an airtight container and use it within a few days for the best results!
You can easily substitute cream of tartar in playdough with lemon juice or vinegar—just use 1 tablespoon of either for every 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar. These acidic ingredients help improve texture and softness. If you don’t have any on hand, you can skip it altogether in no-cook recipes, though the dough may not last as long.
Add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until the texture improves.
Yes—it’s made with simple kitchen ingredients, but it’s still best for supervised play since it’s not meant to be eaten.
Keep the fun going with a few more hands-on crafts that are just as simple and screen-free.
- Let your little sculptors take their imagination even further with these creative clay project ideas—great for kids who love shaping, squishing, and building.
- Bring the seasons indoors with colorful DIY spring wreaths. These projects are easy enough for kids to help with and make great decor, too!
- Encourage a love of nature with this adorable mason jar bird feeder. It’s a fun way to combine crafting and outdoor learning all in one.
- Turn washi tape into a picture frame! This no-mess, no-paint project is a great way for kids to add their own flair to photos or artwork.
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Playdough recipe with no cream of tartar
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup salt
- ½ cup warm water
- 2 tsp oil
- ½ tsp food coloring
Instructions
- Mix together the dry ingredients – salt and flour – in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to a little water and mix them well.
- Then add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, along with the oil.
- Stir together the ingredients (hands work very well for this).
- Keep mixing, folding, and kneading until a dough forms and it reaches the perfect consistency.
- Want more dough or multiple colors? Make small batches and dye each separately.
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