Non-Toxic, Non-Messy Home-Made Play Dough

I know there's a scad of home made play doughs out there, but this is my favorite one, and the best one I've found ever.  This stuff is great, it's non-toxic, and it's also non-sticky (unlike other home made recipes for it.)

When my kids were little, they went through the play dough stage.  Grandparents and relatives would give it to them in a gift, and a week later it would be dried out, or permanently hardened into the rug or something.  I had a passionate dislike for the stuff.  Then my friend Betsy gave me the recipe she used to make it at home. 

I can truely attest that it is non-stick, and non-hardening.  And, even if it's been there for years in a hidden spot, and does get hard, soap and warm water still gets it out.  My one daughter got some of it under her bunk bed legs, and stuck in the rug under the bed.  While I did vaccuum under there, I never found this play dough until we moved!  (I mean, really, who moves their kids bunk beds for regular cleaning...they weigh a ton and are awkward to move!)  It had gotten to the hard stage, and my heart sank when I saw it in the rug.  But, it came out with soap and water, and I was sold on this particular recipe for it.

Betsy's Play Dough
3 Cups white flour
1 1/2 Cup salt
6 Tablespoons Cream of Tartar (I've had it work ok with 5 when I was short)
3 Tablespoons Salad Oil
3 Cups Water

In a large pan, combine all the above ingredients.  Cook on medium heat setting and stir constantly.  When the dough pulls away from the side of the pan and balls up, it's ready.  Let cool and then knead it.  I divide the batch into 3 or 4 sections, one for each color I want to make it with my food coloring.  Use a few drops of food coloring, until it's the color you want, and then knead it into the dough.  Done!

This recipe makes about 2 pounds worth of play dough.  Store in a covered/sealed container (or zip-lock bags) in the fridge.  This stuff keeps about 6 months, and it never gets hard!  It also works better than real play dough going through those play dough machines, and it's a lot smoother and easier to work with lol.  (I get those at the dollar store sometimes)  Kids LOVE this stuff!