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    Home » Resources for Gluten Free Living

    Gluten-free Playdough

    Published: Jun 29, 2020 · Updated: Aug 16, 2020 by Katie | Wheat by the Wayside · This post may contain affiliate links, through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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    Gluten-free playdough recipe.
    Gluten-free playdough recipe.

    Let all the kiddos join in on the fun with this homemade gluten-free playdough recipe! It is safe for children with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivities to play without fear of ingestion, which could make them ill. The recipe was adapted from a beloved pre-school teacher who makes the best playdough!

    Pink gluten-free playdough along with play-dough accessories.

    Benefits of playdough.

    Playdough is an important learning material for children. It encourages imagination and sharing, it stimulates hand-eye coordination, it's therapeutic, and it strengthens tiny muscles! The only problem is, it contains wheat, which for some kids could be a real health concern.

    Why do I need gluten-free playdough?

    If a young child has Celiac Disease or is intolerant to gluten, you may not want them to play with standard playdough. Whether intentional or not, it is very easy for playdough to end up in a child's mouth!

    Making your own gluten-free playdough alleviates any concern that may arise from allowing gluten-sensitive kids to play with playdough. No more hovering or worrying about frequent hand washing!

    As the only one in my house with Celiac, I personally don't feel comfortable having regular playdough in the house. Having gluten all over my tables makes me uneasy, even though I know I can keep it under control!

    I don't really like to touch or play with regular playdough, so the kids end up playing alone. If I make gluten-free playdough, I can feel more comfortable to sit down and play with them, making their experience even more fun!

    Is gluten-free playdough like regular playdough?

    This gluten-free playdough recipe is great! It's soft and pliable and acts just like regular playdough! This recipe was adapted from a recipe I received from my daughter's beloved preschool teacher. Her tried and tested recipe makes THE BEST playdough, much better than store-bought! Having played with both, I can attest that this gluten-free version looks and feels very similar to her recipe!

    How long does it last?

    This gluten-free playdough can be kept for up to 6 months if kept in an airtight container. If it ever shows signs of mold, smells funky, or dries out, promptly discard and make a fresh batch!

    What's in it?

    Corn starch, rice flour, and other gluten-free play dough ingredients measured out in bowls.

    The ingredients are very easy to find at any local grocery store. You may even have everything you need already in your pantry!

    • White rice flour
    • Corn starch
    • Table salt
    • Cream of tartar
    • Water
    • Coconut or canola oil
    • Gel food coloring

    Helpful Tips!

    1. Don't use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. Plain white rice flour is best. If you use a blend that has xanthan gum in it, the texture will be very gummy and not much like playdough. It feels more like trying to play with rubber!
    2. Don't skip the cream of tartar. The dough I made without it was very sticky!
    3. Don't overdo the gel food coloring. Only 1-2 drops are all you need! Unless you want really dark colors, then add 1-2 drops more.

    How to make gluten-free playdough:

    Playdough cooking in a pan, coming together to form a ball.

    Making playdough is as easy as mixing the ingredients together and then cooking over low heat until the dough comes forms a ball. Then you'll just let it cool and knead it until smooth.

    The dough can be played with as soon as it is cool enough to handle but I have found the texture gets even better after the dough rests overnight. This gives the rice flour time to fully hydrate.

    A ball of pink gluten-free play dough next to some play dough that is rolled out and cut into star, heart, and butterfly shapes.

    There you have it! Gluten-free play dough for that special kid in your life. Don't let gluten cause your child to miss out on the wonderful benefits that come from playing with playdough!

    Gluten-free Playdough

    Katie | Wheat by the Wayside
    Learn how to make perfectly soft and pliable gluten-free playdough at home! Easy to make and stays fresh for months! Safe for kids with Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance.
    5 from 7 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Diet Gluten Free
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    Equipment

    • Sauce Pan
    • Wooden Spoon or Spatula
    • Measuring Cup
    • Measuring Spoon

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup white rice flour
    • ½ cup corn starch
    • ¼ cup table salt
    • 2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon oil,, coconut or canola
    • 1-2 drops gel food coloring

    Instructions
     

    • Whisk the dry ingredients together in the saucepan.
    • Add the oil and food coloring to the water and stir.
    • Pour the wet ingredients into the saucepan and whisk to combine.
    • Over medium heat, stir constantly with a rubber spatula until all the liquid has absorbed and a ball of dough appears. About 5 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and place dough on a piece of parchment paper to cool.
    • When cool enough to handle, knead the dough until smooth.
    • Store in an airtight container.
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and star rating below!

    Want to learn more about the gluten-free life? Check out all of my gluten-free resources!

    More Resources for Living with Celiac Disease

    • Is Beef Broth Gluten-Free? A Guide and List of Safe Brands
    • 14 Amazing Recipes With Caputo Fioreglut Gluten-Free Flour
    • Is Nutritional Yeast Gluten-Free?
    • Is Starbucks Gluten-Free? Safe Menu Options and What to Avoid

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    1. Kathy

      June 29, 2020 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      Looks like fun!!

      Reply
    2. Erika

      June 23, 2021 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      THANK YOU!!!! I tried a different recipe that totally bombed! This recipe turned out perfectly and I cannot wait to play playdough with my grandson! I assumed it was too watery but followed the recipe exactly and it thickened up but is soft, like the real deal.

      Reply
    3. Elise

      November 01, 2021 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      I substituted Brown Rice Flour for the White Rice Flour because I didn't have it on hand, but the recipe turned out perfectly!

      Reply
    4. Glynis

      February 21, 2022 at 1:02 am

      Hi Katie, I was wondering if the playdough needs to be refrigerated if I'm planning on keeping it for a few weeks. Please let me know. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

        March 23, 2022 at 8:50 pm

        No you don't have to. Just keep an eye on it for any mold or funkiness, but it keeps for a while! A few weeks should be fine. The salt acts as a preservative.

        Reply
    5. Kat

      May 02, 2022 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      I have made so many different GF play dough recipes and have never found a good one. I am so grateful I can finally stop wasting ingredients because this recipe is the one! Thank you so much! It's soo soft, not sticky, super fun to play with. Going to make a bunch of different colours and surprise my toddler, he's gonna love it. Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

        May 09, 2022 at 3:23 pm

        Thank you so much for the great review! So happy you enjoyed the recipe! So nice to be able to play without worry!

        Reply
    6. Dana Carter

      October 14, 2022 at 9:46 pm

      I just made a batch and I love the feel of it. However I'm a little concerned about how oily it is. Will the the excess get absorbed a bit more overnight? I will admit I used vegetable oil instead of canola or coconut- how big of a difference does that make?

      Reply
      • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

        October 23, 2022 at 9:42 am

        It should absorb more as it sets overnight. Vegetable oil should be fine.

        Reply
    7. Kat

      January 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm

      Hi! Mine turned out sticky 🤔 any thoughts as to how I can fix it or what May have gone wrong? Thank you!! 😊

      Reply
      • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

        January 30, 2023 at 7:21 pm

        Did you add the cream of tartar? Also, it may just need to rest overnight to give the flours time to hydrate.

        Reply
        • Kat

          January 31, 2023 at 12:03 pm

          Hi Katie - Yep, letting it sit over night did the trick! it's perfect today and my daughters LOVE it. Thank you!! it's been an uphill battle finding a GOOD gf playdough recipe!

          Reply
          • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

            January 31, 2023 at 12:49 pm

            Oh wonderful! I'm so happy everyone is enjoying the playdough! Thanks for the update!

            Reply

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    Hi, I'm Katie! I'm the blogger behind Wheat by the Wayside. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2018 and have been following a strict gluten-free diet ever since. The goal of WBTW is to share tried and tested, easy, and delicious gluten-free recipes to give you confidence in the kitchen! 

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