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No-Stove Homemade Play Dough - Easy DIY Recipe for Kids

After experimenting with many batches of homemade play dough, we've created the ULTIMATE no-fail method that kids can make with very little help! This recipe is so easy you'll be making up ALL the colors you can get your hands on. The dough isn't sticky and smells GREAT thanks to Kool-Aid flavoring. The secret ingredient is glycerin, which gives it extra shine just like store-bought play dough and keeps it from drying out quickly. Perfect for creating rainbow colors using different Kool-Aid flavors!

10-10 minutes Ages 3-10 1 step may need help Allergen warning

About This Project

A 10–10 minutes craft for ages 3–10, using supplies you likely already have — Glycerin, Vegetable Oil, and Flour.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

Heads up: This project may use supplies that can trigger allergies. Check with your grown-up before starting.

This project is perfect for:

Sensory Play Activities
No-Cook Recipes
Rainy Day Projects
Rainy Day Play Dough
Independent Kid Activities

Project Tags

play dough science science lab sensory kitchen science indoor contains allergens reusable budget friendly fine motor skills color mixing temporary fun solo play family project rainy day

1
Find Supplies

Do you have everything you need?

Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.

00:00

Heads up: Some supplies in this project may trigger allergies. Ask a grown-up before using them.

Glycerin
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Vegetable Oil
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Allergen

Flour
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Allergen

Wax Paper
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Spoons
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Kool-Aid
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Allergen

Water
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Salt
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown

Large, Microwavable Mixing Bowls
Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
2
Make No-Stove Homemade Play Dough

Messy Mode

Mix dry ingredients

In a large microwavable bowl, mix the flour, salt, and Kool-Aid powder together.

Add wet ingredients

Add the oil, glycerin and hot tap water to the bowl. Stir until well mixed.

Microwave!

Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir. Return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Check it again–if it’s quite thick and hard to stir, dump it on a piece of wax paper. If it’s not, give it another 10-30 seconds.

Storing your play dough

Once your play dough is cool, kneed the dough until it’s not sticky and enjoy! Important safety considerations for using and storing your play dough: • Store your completed dough in an airtight container when not using. We used plastic bags, but any resealable container will do. • Keep in refrigerator for longest life • Check for mold before each use • Discard after 1 week or if it smells odd • Make small batches to reduce waste

Your creative buddy says:

"Let's stick together and make this one!"

Heads up! Some supplies may trigger allergies. Check with a grown-up before using them.

Step 1: Mix dry ingredients

In a large microwavable bowl, mix the flour, salt, and Kool-Aid powder together.

Step 2: Add wet ingredients

Add the oil, glycerin and hot tap water to the bowl. Stir until well mixed.

Step 3: Microwave!

HOT! Grown-up required May need grown-up help

Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir. Return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Check it again–if it’s quite thick and hard to stir, dump it on a piece of wax paper. If it’s not, give it another 10-30 seconds.

Step 4: Storing your play dough

Once your play dough is cool, kneed the dough until it’s not sticky and enjoy! Important safety considerations for using and storing your play dough: • Store your completed dough in an airtight container when not using. We used plastic bags, but any resealable container will do. • Keep in refrigerator for longest life • Check for mold before each use • Discard after 1 week or if it smells odd • Make small batches to reduce waste
3
Clean up
Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

Reminder, this project used supplies that may trigger allergies. Store them safely!
Tidy up our space

Pick up anything that fell on the floor.

Wipe up any spills on the table.

Put your completed project somewhere safe!

Throw away all your trash and recycling.
Put away our supplies

Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

Put away glycerin. Where they belong:

Put away vegetable oil. Where they belong:

Put away flour. Where they belong:

Put away wax paper. Where they belong:

Put away kool-aid. Where they belong:

Put away water. Where they belong:

Put away salt. Where they belong:

Put away spoon. Where they belong:

Put away mixing bowl. Where they belong:
Update what we have left

Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.

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4
Save

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"Great job!"

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About the Author

STL Motherhood

I’m a boy mom, crafter and former reporter who loves taking my kids to superhero movies. Join me for a mix of traditional kid crafts, STEM fun and 3D printing.

More projects by this author

No-Stove Homemade Play Dough - Easy DIY Recipe for Kids

About This Project

Project Tags

Find Supplies

Make No-Stove Homemade Play Dough

Step 1: Mix dry ingredients

Step 2: Add wet ingredients

Step 3: Microwave!

Step 4: Storing your play dough

Clean up

Tidy up our space

Put away our supplies

Update what we have left

Save

More projects you might like

Use what’s already at home

About the Author

STL Motherhood