Dandelion Playdough Recipe without Cream of Tartar

While definitely not homemade play dough connoisseurs, we’re pretty proud of our recipe for Dandelion Playdough.

(At the time of writing) We’re 6+ weeks into social distancing and so picking up a random ingredient, like cream of tartar, for an afternoon craft activity is a VERY low priority task on our to-do list. Luckily, we put together this recipe that works with just the ingredients we have on hand at home.

Picking Dandelions

Remember when you were a kid and you thought dandelions were unequivocally BEAUTIFUL?

Back when you didn’t have an adult internal battle raging between killing these flowering weeds or letting them grow wildly in your yard and risking the scornful looks of neighbors with their perfectly manicured yards? Meanwhile, your other friends without HOAs post images of harvesting dandelions for wine and tea and beautiful dandelion-garnished pizzas! The dilemma is real!

Well, regardless of where you fall on the dandelion debate, my kids are young enough that they still LOVE dandelions and an afternoon of picking flowers sounds like great all-around fun.

So, the first part of this spring kids’ activity is a nature hike/walk or, perhaps, just a circle around your own front yard. Each year, dandelions bloom the most during May and June, but you can find them through October.

How to Make Playdough Without Cream of Tartar

Dandelion Playdough Ingredients

• 2 cups of flour
• 1/4 cup of salt
• 3/4 cup of very hot water
• 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• Several handfuls of dandelions
• Food coloring (optional)

Dandelion Playdough Recipe Instructions

Heat water until it is very hot (not boiling). We used a microwave-safe dish and heated the water for 1 minute in the microwave.

Combine the hot water and dandelions in a mixer, Ninja, or Cuisinart.

Add in the lemon juice and vegetable oil. Start mixing. If desired, at this point you may add additional yellow food coloring (both gel or liquid drops work well).

Also, if you want to add a fragrance, this is the time to include your favorite essential oil or Kool-Aid.

Next, mix the flour and salt together in a medium-sized bowl. Kids especially love helping measure, pour and stir!

Slowly, add the dandelion liquid to your bowl of dry ingredients. Mix with a spoon and be prepared to eventually mix and knead with your hands, too. If needed: make your playdough the desired consistency by adding small amounts of additional flour.

You’re done!

Now get to playing. When you’re finished, make sure to store your playdough in an airtight container or in a ziplock bag.

Want to save this playdough activity for later?

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LEGO Bricks + Dandelions

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