Making homemade playdough is a fun and easy activity that you can do with your children or by yourself. It is sure to help cure boredom blues. Playdough has been a beloved children’s toy for generations, but its history is rooted in practicality rather than play.
In the 1930s, a man named Noah McVicker was trying to develop a cleaning product for coal miners to remove soot from wallpaper. However, when the demand for the product didn’t materialize, McVicker’s company, Kutol, was on the verge of bankruptcy.
McVicker’s sister-in-law, a schoolteacher, suggested that the company repurpose the putty-like substance as a modeling clay for children. The non- toxic, non-staining, and easy-to-shape substance was an instant hit and was marketed as Play-Doh.
Play-Doh was initially sold in one-gallon cans to schools, but by the 1950s, it had become a household name and was sold in smaller packages to the general public. In the 1960s, Play-Doh introduced new colors and began marketing to a wider audience with television commercials featuring children playing with the product.
Over the years, Play-Doh has continued to evolve, adding new colors and scents, as well as introducing playsets that allow children to create more elaborate creations. Today, Play-Doh is a classic children’s toy and a staple in classrooms and homes around the world.
Here is a simple recipe that uses common household ingredients:
Ingredients:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup salt
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2 tablespoons cream of tartar
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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1 1/2 cups boiling water
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Food coloring (optional)
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Essential oil or vanilla extract for fragrance (optional)
Instructions:
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar until well combined.
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Add the vegetable oil and stir until the mixture is crumbly.
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Add the boiling water and stir until the mixture comes together into a ball.
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If you want to add food coloring, divide the ball of dough into separate portions and add a few drops of food coloring to each portion. Knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed.
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Optional: Add a few drops of essential oil or vanilla extract for fragrance.
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Store the playdough in an airtight container or plastic bag.
Your homemade playdough is now ready to use! It can be stored at room temperature for a few weeks. If it starts to dry out, you can add a few drops of water and knead it until it becomes soft and pliable again. Enjoy!