Homemade Gluten Free Playdough is an excellent sensory activity for children—fun to squish and shape, without any gluten concerns.
Gluten Free Playdough
My child absolutely loves playdough. When she was little she enjoyed simply squishing it and letting it crumble through her fingers; now she’s older and enjoys shaping it into forms and using playdough toys. Playdough is a fantastic activity for developing fine motor skills, encouraging creativity, and supporting sensory play.
Because I have celiac disease, traditional wheat-based playdough posed a challenge: playdough inevitably gets into nails, pockets, and shoes, and ends up in unexpected places. To avoid any risk from gluten exposure, I developed a reliable gluten free playdough version that keeps all the tactile benefits while removing the worry.
Problem Solved
When I taught, I always made my own playdough because it was far more economical than buying store-bought tubs. While gluten free playdough is available commercially, it tends to be more expensive. I adapted my long-time homemade recipe using a gluten free flour blend and was pleasantly surprised at the results: the dough had a great texture, molded well, and was easy to work with.
I once tried making playdough with cornstarch alone and that batch wasn’t successful, but this recipe made with a gluten free all-purpose flour blend is straightforward and consistent. It’s inexpensive, quick to prepare, and stores well when kept in airtight containers.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- I used Trader Joe’s gluten free flour blend; any reliable gluten free all-purpose blend should work similarly. Avoid flours that are very gritty or have unusual binders, which can affect texture.
- Use a fine, inexpensive table salt (the finely ground kind in a cardboard container). Coarser salts can leave a grainy texture in the dough.
- Add food coloring to the water before combining with the dry ingredients. Coloring mixes into the dough more evenly this way and reduces the need for heavy kneading.
- Store finished playdough in airtight containers or zip-top bags to keep it soft. Small plastic containers from discount shops work perfectly for portioning and storing individual colors.
- If dough becomes slightly dry over time, knead in a few drops of vegetable oil to restore softness.
I hope you enjoy this gluten free playdough recipe with your children. If you have your own favorite variations—such as scenting with vanilla or using natural colorants—I’d love to hear about them.
Gluten Free Playdough Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free all-purpose flour (I use a standard blend)
- 1/2 cup fine salt (table salt)
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- Food coloring (gel or liquid)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the gluten free flour, fine salt, and cream of tartar. Stir to mix the dry ingredients evenly.
- Measure the water into a separate cup and add the food coloring to the water, stirring until the color is well blended.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Add the colored water and the vegetable oil to the dry mixture.
- Stir the mixture constantly with a spatula or wooden spoon. After a few minutes (typically 2–3 minutes) the mixture will thicken and come together into a dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Remove the pan from heat and transfer the dough to a sheet of wax paper or a clean work surface. Allow it to cool for a few minutes so it’s safe to handle.
- When the dough is cool enough to touch, knead it until smooth and uniform in color and texture. If needed, knead in a drop or two of vegetable oil to make it softer.
- Store each color in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag to prevent drying. Properly stored, the dough can last for several weeks.