Five Homemade Playdough Recipes for Homeschoolers

Most of us have fond memories of playdough: sculpting it, shaping it, and sometimes even eating it. While it might not have had any nutritional value, working with clay helped us develop our motor skills, work our hand muscles, and nurture our creative and artistic spirits.

If you're a homeschooling mom looking for a hands-on art medium and think your kids would enjoy experimenting with clay, try one of these homemade playdough recipes. There are even a couple of edible playdough recipes!

Basic Homemade Playdough
This dough has a nice consistency, bold colors, and yummy scents. But while it is non-toxic, younger users might be tempted to taste it and be really disappointed in the flavor. If you're homeschooling a younger child and don't think he'll be able to resist the temptation of yummy-looking dough, you might try an edible recipe instead.

1 cup flour
½ cup salt
1½ Tbsp. cooking oil
1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid
1 cup boiling water

Mix flour, salt, oil and Kool-Aid. Add boiling water; stir and knead until cooled and smooth. Store in a plastic bag or an airtight container. This lasts well for a couple of months if stored in the fridge in a plastic bag.

Recipe Credit: Create-Kids-Crafts.com

Nutty Butter Playdough
Want a play dough that's fun to use and safe for the occasional nibble? Try this edible play dough recipe. Tip: for a different color dough and additional flavor, add some cocoa.

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered milk
1 cup honey
1 cup oatmeal

Mix together and play. Make sure this play dough is not used by infants under 12 months of age, who should not consume honey.

Recipe Credit: About.com

No-Cook Clay Dough
Making homemade playdough on a hot summer day? This no-cook recipe will keep your kitchen cool and your homeschooler occupied.

3 cups flour
3 cups salt
3 tablespoons alum

Combine ingredients and slowly add water, a little at a time. Mix well with spoon. As mixture thickens, continue mixing with your hands until it has the feel of clay. If it feels too dry, add more water. If it is too sticky, add equal parts of flour and salt.

Recipe Credit: Bukiska

Edible Playdough
This recipe sounds tasty enough to make and eat, even without playing with it first! Cake mix is the trick to making this edible homemade playdough a delicious and fun activity.

1 box name brand white cake mix
1 stick soft but not melted margarine
About 3 tablespoons water

Mix cake mix and margarine in large bowl. When it is well mixed add 1 teaspoon of water at a time and mix until the desired consistency. I give each child a plastic zip seal bag for storage (if there's any left!)

Recipe Credit: MakePlaydough.com

Just Like the Real Playdough
If you're looking for a homemade playdough recipe that gives storebought-like results, try this "Just Like the Real Playdough" recipe.

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon powdered alum
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons vanilla
food coloring

Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and food coloring. Divide into balls and work in color by kneading the playdough.

Recipe Credit: About.com

Working with playdough is good for the development of your child's motor skills and exercising their imagination. Instead of running out and spending money on storebought Play Do, practice some creative homeschool thrift and try one of these homemade playdough recipes for simple, educational and inexpensive fun.