Kids are often amazed when they can mix a few ingredients and create one of their favorite toys in just a few minutes. My children loved playing with playdough when they were younger, and my youngest still enjoys it. I created a fun gluten-free playdough recipe for them to play with, without worrying about gluten.
Although store-bought Play-Doh claims to be non-toxic and unlikely to harm kids if ingested in small amounts, some ingredients still make me a bit uneasy. And there’s always that one child who can’t resist sampling non-food items during craft time. It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact ingredients in commercial playdough since companies use proprietary blends. However, a quick internet search can reveal what’s in the patent. Typical playdough includes wheat flour, artificial colors and fragrances, a petroleum additive, borax, and preservatives, among other things.
Kids experience the world through their senses, especially their mouths, so naturally, they’ll want to taste playdough. Even if they don’t, the largest organ in the body, the skin, can absorb substances through touch. The makers of Play-Doh, Hasbro, even suggest reaching out to your vet if your dog eats some. Many kids are sensitive to artificial dyes and fragrances and some have wheat allergies, celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity. These factors can make regular playdough unsuitable for kids on a gluten-free diet.
Fortunately, there are some pre-made playdough options that are gluten-free and allergen-free. You can also make your own playdough with ingredients you likely already have at home. If you’re still clearing out unwanted food from your pantry, you can use flour and table salt to make playdough. This gluten-free recipe is also a great way to use up some vegetable oil if you or someone you know is gluten intolerant.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that kids spend an average of 7 hours daily in front of screens, which research shows can negatively affect the brain. I’ve noticed how too much screen time affects my kids, leading to shorter tempers and less imagination. Typically, more playtime is the solution! Kids are naturally inclined to explore, and playdough satisfies their urge to touch and create. It inspires imagination like no other toy, acting as a blank canvas for their creativity. While pots and pans inspire kitchen pretend-play and dolls encourage playing house, playdough can become anything they imagine, providing numerous benefits beyond being just a toy.
In our homeschool room, playdough is a favorite go-to activity for little ones. Though there are “no-cook” recipes, this version requires cooking on the stove. Rice flour can be stickier than wheat flour, so cooking helps reduce stickiness. Store the playdough in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Silicone bags are a kid-friendly alternative to breakable glass containers and better than plastic bags!
Adding color to your playdough is easy. You can use a few drops of natural food coloring to achieve your desired shade. Simply add it to one cup of water before mixing with the other ingredients. Alternatively, you can create colored water by simmering fruits, vegetables, or herbs in water until it takes on the color you prefer. After straining, use one cup of this water in your recipe, but keep in mind that this version will spoil faster.
My kids love it when I add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent, which also provides some benefits. The variety of essential oil-infused playdough combinations is endless. Just dilute the essential oil in melted coconut or olive oil before incorporating it into the recipe. Make sure to choose kid-safe essential oils like those from Plant Therapy’s kid-safe line or Revive essential oils. Some favorites include:
Regarding recipe questions, if you don’t have cream of tartar, it can help with the playdough’s softness but isn’t essential. Some people suggest using a bit of vinegar as a substitute, though I haven’t tried this.
If your child isn’t gluten-free, you can simply substitute regular white flour for rice flour in the same recipe. If you don’t have cornstarch or need an alternative due to allergies, arrowroot can work as a substitute or mix it with cornstarch. I use non-GMO cornstarch, which is widely available.
If your playdough feels too sticky, remember that rice flour is stickier than wheat flour. Cooking it longer until it’s soft and squishy while still holding together can help reduce the stickiness. For older kids or even the younger ones if you’re up for it, try making some gooey, natural slime for a change.
What creative things do your kids love to make with their playdough? Feel free to share in the comments!
