Our Fuss-Free Play Dough Recipe

Play dough is universally loved by young children and provides brilliant sensory feedback alongside a huge range of playful learning opportunities. If you would rather not use commercial dough, this simple recipe is the one we use at Little Starlings.

The Recipe

• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/4 cup table salt
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• Food colouring

Put the dry ingredients in a large bowl and add the oil. Add the food colouring to the boiling water, then slowly pour the water into the bowl, mixing as you go, until you reach the desired consistency.

The dough will feel slightly sticky when warm - this is normal. Leave it to cool slightly before kneading on a cool surface. If it needs more flour, sprinkle a small amount onto the surface and work the dough over it slowly rather than adding it all at once.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for three to four weeks.

Why Play Dough Is So Good for Children

Fine motor development. Squeezing, rolling, pinching and pressing dough builds the small muscles in hands and fingers that children need for writing.

Sensory feedback. The feel, smell and texture of dough provides rich sensory input that helps children regulate their attention and emotions.

Creativity. Open-ended materials like dough invite children to create whatever they like, building imagination and problem-solving.

Calm focus. There is something genuinely soothing about working with dough. It is one of our go-to activities at Little Starlings when children need to settle or transition.

Language development. Dough play naturally generates conversation: squash, roll, stretch, poke, smooth - a wonderful context for building descriptive vocabulary.

Scissors and Dough

Roll dough into long worms or snakes and let children cut through them with child-safe scissors. Far more satisfying than cutting paper, as the dough holds its shape and gives clear feedback.

We use play dough almost every day at Little Starlings in Balham. If you would like to come and see the nursery, book a tour.