GLUTEN-FREE PLAY DOUGH
An absolute childhood classic? Play dough! It’s soft, squishy and super fun to mold, shape and create with. But, if you have a child with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease, traditional play doughs made with wheat flour are most likely a no-go…. Little ones are always putting things into their mouths, aren’t they? This play dough recipe, however, is soft, squishy, nice and dense like a regular homemade play dough is, and it’s completely glutenfree! It also lasts very well—for months in an airtight container.
Supplies
- 1 cup packed Bob’s Red Mill Gluten
Free All-Purpose Baking Flour* - ¼ cup table salt 1 tbsp cream of tartar
- 1 tbsp liquid oil of choice
- 1 tbsp glycerine natural food colouring
- ½ cup boiling water (measured in a dry measuring cup, the same kind you’d measure flour in)
- 2 tbsp (ish) cornstarch
*You can try other gluten-free flours, but I’ve found this works best.
- MEASURE & WHISK Add flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil and glycerine into a large bowl and whisk really well to combine. (Pack that flour down—this part matters!)
- COLOUR Add food colouring to a dry measuring cup then fill with boiling water.
- MIX & COOL Pour the coloured water into the dry mixture and stir like crazy. Scrape the spoon off every so often to mix everything in well. It might look too dry or too wet at first, but trust the process! Let cool about 5 minutes.
- KNEAD Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead it like you mean it! At this stage, it’ll feel too sticky, but it’s totally normal—just keep kneading! Once it’s smooth, wash and dry your hands really well (even a tiny bit of moisture can change the texture).
- FINISH Sprinkle on cornstarch and knead it in. It should become less sticky, but if needed, add another tbsp.
- ENJOY Now it’s ready for fun! Grab some cutters, rolling pins or toy animals and let the creativity flow—there’s no wrong way to play!
- STORAGE Keep your play dough in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat. It’ll last for months! Pro Tip: Gluten-free doughs can feel a little sticky compared to regular play dough. If needed, dust your hands, work surface or dough with a tiny bit of cornstarch (just 1 tsp at a time) and knead it in. That should do the trick!
