Have you ever thought about making your own play dough? This all natural play dough recipe for kids is so easy to make! You more than likely have everything you need already in your kitchen. Get your kids involved in this fun craft for kids. They will love helping you make this fun play dough and there are so many benefits to playing with play dough. A non-toxic play dough recipe is important because kids are touching it against their skin and are prone to eating bits of it.
Fun and Easy All Natural Play Dough Recipe (No Cook)
I first made this play dough for our family because I really didn’t like the chemical smell that store bought play dough has. I much prefer chemical free items in our house if we can help it. This play dough recipe for kids contains only all natural ingredients! This is also a play dough recipe without cream of tartar and which requires no cooking.
Ingredients For Non-Toxic Play Dough:
- 2 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Cup of Salt
- 2 TBSP of Olive Oil
- 3/4 Cups of Water
- Natural Food Coloring Drops or Beet Juice (for pink play dough) or Carrot Juice (for orange play dough)- optional
These are food pantry ingredients are non-toxic and safe if accidentally ingested:
- Flour – Flour along with water create a safe, simple dough base.
- Salt – Helps preserve homemade play dough. The salt concentration disrupts the water balance in bacteria and mold cells, slowing or stopping their growth. While homemade dough doesn’t last forever, salt can help it stay usable 1–2 weeks at room temperature and up to a month if refrigerated in an airtight container.
- Oil – Adds smoothness to dough.
- Food coloring – Natural versions suggested for added safety.
How To Make Non Toxic Play Dough For Kids:
First gather your ingredients. Next, mix your oil, water and coloring together. We used almond oil in our recipe. Olive oil, coconut oil or any other vegetable oil will work just fine. Almond oil is what we had on hand. If you choose to add coloring, mix in 4-5 drops for a light colored play dough or 6-8 drops for a darker colored play dough. Once those are mixed together, add the flour and salt.
Mix together until pliable. It’s easiest to use your hands when mixing all your ingredients together. Once your play dough is mixed together and is pliable, give your hands a quick rinse and you are ready to play!
Make sure to store your play dough in an air tight container or plastic zip lock bag when you aren’t using it.
Having play dough on hand is perfect for cold or rainy days! My kids love sitting at the table and making all kinds of fun shapes and sculptures with their homemade play dough. Do you think you might give this play dough recipe for kids a try? Share your pic on social media @familyfocusblog!
Printable Recipe For Homemade Non Toxic Playdough
Non-Toxic Play Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Cups of Flour
- 1/2 Cup of Salt
- 2 TBSP of Oil
- 3/4 Cups of Water
- 6-8 drops of each Natural Food Coloring
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add oil, water, and coloring.
- Mix together with a spoon.
- Then add flour and salt.
- Use a spoon to mix until it starts to form a thick mass. Then switch to using your hands to knead into a nice smooth ball of play dough.
My dough is too sticky/dry—how can I fix it?
- If too sticky: Add flour a tablespoon at a time.
- If too dry: Add a teaspoon of water or a bit more oil and knead.
Is this homemade play dough edible?
It’s non-toxic but it is NOT meant to be eaten. It’s salty and might cause a tummy ache if ingested in large amounts.
Conclusion
Enjoy the creativity and peace of mind that comes with all-natural play dough made from simple pantry ingredients like flour, salt, olive oil, and water—free from synthetic dyes and chemicals. With natural colorings like beet juice for pink, turmeric for yellow, and spinach for green, you can create a rainbow of safe, non-toxic fun for little hands. Let kids squish, roll, and shape their dough in imaginative ways. It’s a wholesome, hands-on activity that nurtures creativity and keeps playtime safe and eco-friendly.
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