How to Make Kids' Playdough with Natural Pigments
Looking for a fun, sustainable craft project to do with your kids? Why not try making your own playdough using natural pigments! This DIY playdough is easy, safe, and eco-friendly, plus it offers endless creative possibilities. The best part? You can infuse it with beautiful colours made from natural sources like turmeric, beetroot, spirulina, or even flowers from your garden.
Here's a simple step-by-step recipe for making playdough that’s soft, vibrant, and full of natural goodness.
Ingredients
· 2 cups plain flour
· 1 cup salt
· 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
· 2 tablespoons sunflower oil (or any mild vegetable oil)
· 1 1⁄2 cups water
· Natural pigments (powders like turmeric, spirulina, or beetroot, or make your own from plants or fruits)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Natural Pigments
· Powders: If using ready-made powders like turmeric, spirulina, or beetroot, you can add them directly to your playdough mixture.
· Homemade Extracts: For homemade pigments, boil or blend colourful fruits, vegetables, or flowers with a small amount of water. Strain the liquid to remove solids, leaving a vibrant natural dye. Some ideas:
o Red: Beetroot juice
o Yellow: Turmeric or saffron
o Green: Spinach or spirulina
o Blue: Butterfly pea flower tea
o Purple: Red cabbage boiled with a pinch of baking soda
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Stir them together until well blended.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients
In a medium-sized saucepan, mix the water and sunflower oil. If using liquid natural pigments, replace some or all of the water with your pigment liquid (see tips below for adjusting consistency). Adjust the quantity of pigment to achieve your desired color intensity.
4. Cook the Dough
· Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the saucepan with the wet ingredients. Whisk to avoid lumps.
· Place the saucepan on medium heat and cook, stirring continuously. The mixture will thicken and form a dough. This takes about 3–5 minutes.
5. Knead and Cool
· Once the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, remove it from heat. Let it cool for a few minutes.
· Turn the dough onto a clean surface and knead it until smooth and elastic.
6. Divide and Add Pigment (Optional)
· If you’re using powdered pigments or want to create multiple colours, divide the dough into portions.
· Add powdered pigment to each portion and knead until the colour is evenly distributed. You can wear gloves for this step to avoid staining your hands.
· If using liquid pigments and want multiple colours, separate the plain dough into portions and knead a small amount of pigment liquid into each. Add extra flour as needed if the dough becomes sticky.
Using Liquid Natural Pigments
If you're making your own pigments using liquids, here’s how to incorporate them into your playdough while keeping the consistency just right:
1. Prepare Your Pigment Liquid
o Extract the pigment by boiling or blending colourful fruits, vegetables, or flowers with water. Strain the liquid to get a smooth dye.
o Measure the pigment liquid, as this will replace some of the water in the recipe.
2. Replace Water with Pigment Liquid
o Substitute part or all of the water in the recipe with the pigment liquid. For example:
If the pigment is strong and vibrant, use 1⁄2 cup pigment liquid and 1 cup water.
For lighter pigments, use more of the liquid (e.g., 1 cup pigment liquid and 1⁄2 cup water).
3. Adjust Consistency
o If the dough feels sticky due to the extra liquid, add a little more flour (1 tablespoon at a time) while kneading until it’s smooth and pliable.
4. Boost Vibrancy
o For a more intense colour, reduce your pigment liquid by simmering it on low heat to concentrate the colour before adding it to the recipe.
o You can also knead in powdered pigments later to enhance the hue.
Tips for Multiple Colours
If you want to make multiple colours from one batch, simply separate the dough into portions before adding the pigments. This way, each portion can be individually coloured, giving you a rainbow of natural hues!
Tips for Storage
· Store the playdough in an airtight container or zip-lock bag to keep it soft.
· It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks when stored properly.
Benefits of Using Natural Pigments
· Safe and non-toxic for kids
· Fun way to explore nature and colours
· Encourages creativity and sensory play
This simple playdough recipe is a delightful activity to do with your children. They’ll love helping you mix the colours and seeing how natural ingredients create stunning hues. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to introduce sustainability into their playtime.
Happy crafting! 🌿
