Homemade Natural Play Dough

Play-dough is so easy to make at home and the colors you can create are more natural and subtle. I prefer the creams, soft pinks, and luscious chocolate browns of the play-doughs I created here using natural colorings. These colors create more realistic pastries and the play-dough lasts a long time if you store it properly.

RECIPE

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 cup hot water

2 tsp lime juice, vinegar, or cream of tartar

1 tsp organic vegetable oil

natural food colorings (for pink I used Wilton gel food coloring and for chocolate brown I used cocoa powder - you can try natural food colorings using beets, carrots, cranberries, turmeric, spinach, red cabbage, raspberries, blueberries, and more! Experimentation is the fun part of being a scientist - have fun with it!)

Procedure:

Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture while stirring. Cook over medium heat while stirring to let the dough thicken. When the dough no longer sticks to the pan, remove from heat. Place dough on a clean, dry surface and knead dough with your hands until firm. The dough should not be sticky. Add a little flour until the dough does not stick any more. Store in small containers in the refrigerator for several months or at room temperature for one to two weeks. If it dries out, add a little water and knead again.