homemade playdoh

It’s a Different Kind of Dough Day
Homemade Play Dough with Natural Food Coloring

There’s something special about homemade play doughs squishy, and full of color made from real plants. On slow home school mornings or cozy creative afternoons, we reach for this activity again and again. It’s simple, gentle on little hands, and full of sensory magic.

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“The cornstarch makes it silky, the colors are dreamy, and the memories are our favorite part.”

🌿 Our Favorite Play Dough Recipes

✨ Regular Silky Play Dough

1 ½ cups flour
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup salt
1 ½ cups hot water
6 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp coconut oil
Natural food coloring

🍋 Taste-Safe Version

1 cup flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup hot water
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
Natural food coloring

🥣 How to Make It

Mix your dry ingredients (skip the salt if you’re making the taste-safe version).
In a separate container, stir together hot water, lemon juice, and coconut oil.
Slowly mix into the dry ingredients, stirring as you go.
Knead until a soft, smooth ball forms—add flour or cornstarch as needed.
Divide and color each part by flattening, sprinkling with powder, folding, and kneading.
Store in an airtight container or bag. Add flour/cornstarch later if sticky.

🎨 Our Favorite Natural Food Colors
We used:

suncore foods blue butterfly pea flower, and purple sweet potato
supernatural in pomegranate, orange, and yellow
king arthur all-purpose flour
Aiya Matcha

You can also try beetroot, turmeric, spirulina, cocoa, or berry powders from your pantry.

“Play dough doesn’t need to come in a plastic tub it can come from your pantry and be bright with nature’s color.”

💡 Tips & Creative Ideas

Add calming essential oils like lavender or chamomile ( just make sure they are kid safe, for little taste testers vanilla can be a great option)
Use nature stamps: leaves, buttons, wooden toys
Match dough colors to your homeschool season or story theme
Add dried herbs, flower petals, or sparkles (for older kids)

📸 Share the Joy

I’d love to see what you make! Tag @illustratedhomestead on tik tok or use #IllustratedHomestead to join the cozy craft circle.