How To Make Playdough Soft Again

Playdough is a fantastic fun activity for little hands and young children, perfect for rainy days and creative play. However, after a long time, playdough can become dry and difficult to mold, and hardened playdough is no fun. In this blog post, we’ll explore easy ways to make playdough soft again, including the best homemade playdough recipe and how to rehydrate old playdough using vegetable oil.

It’s always a great time when kids get to indulge in some playdough fun. Little hands moulding and shaping their own playdough creations with different colors and cookie cutters is a delightful sight, not to mention it is great for their fine motor skills and hand muscle development.

But what do you do when the playdough dries out and loses its softness? Don’t fret! We have the best playdough recipe and rehydrating methods to make playdough soft again.

Rehydrating Old Playdough

As a mom, you know that playdough is an excellent way to keep your kids entertained while encouraging their creativity. However, if you’ve ever found a lump of dry, hard playdough that has seen better days, don’t throw it away just yet!

With a few simple tricks, you can rehydrate and soften it, saving you money and keeping your little ones happy.

Wet Paper Towel

One of the easiest ways to rehydrate old playdough is to use a wet paper towel. The moisture from the paper towel penetrates the dough, making it soft and pliable again.

To do this, simply wrap the hardened dough in a damp paper towel and place it in a sealed container or plastic bag. Allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight, giving the moisture enough time to penetrate the dough. Once done, remove the excess water and knead the playdough to achieve the desired softness.

Vegetable Oil

Another simple way to rehydrate old playdough is to add a few drops of vegetable oil.

This method works particularly well for playdough that has become crumbly or dry. Simply add a few drops of oil to the playdough and knead it until it becomes soft and pliable again. If the playdough is still too dry, add a little more oil until you reach the desired consistency.

A Little Water

If your playdough has become slightly hard and crumbly, adding a few drops of water can help rehydrate it.

Be careful not to add too much water, as this can make the playdough sticky and unusable. Start by adding a few drops of water and kneading the dough to see if it helps. If it doesn’t work, try using another method to rehydrate the playdough.

Part Conditioner Method

The hair conditioner method is a quick and easy way to rehydrate old playdough. Simply mix a small amount of cheap hair conditioner with the dry playdough, kneading until it reaches the desired consistency. The conditioner will add moisture to the dough, making it soft and pliable again. Just make sure not to use too much conditioner, as this can make the playdough too oily.

If none of the above methods work you can try making a new batch of playdough. Homemade playdough is simple to make and can be customized to your liking. You can find countless recipes online that use common household ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring. Making your own playdough can also be a fun activity to do with your children, allowing them to choose their favorite colors and scents. Plus, you’ll have a fresh batch of playdough that’s soft and ready to use whenever you want.

Making Homemade Playdough Soft From Scratch

The secret to soft playdough lies in the main ingredients and the dough consistency. Here’s an easy homemade playdough recipe to make soft playdough from scratch:

Best Way To Store Playdough to Prevent Drying Out

Another tip to keep in mind is to use airtight containers to store your playdough properly.

Something like these are great if you have lots of small amounts of different colors that you would like to keep separate rather than in one giant tub, which can get messy.

Playdough is a fun and creative activity for children, but keeping it fresh and pliable can be a challenge.

To prevent your playdough from drying out, the best way to store it is in an airtight container. This will help to maintain the moisture content and prevent air from getting in and drying it out. It’s also a good idea to store the container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

By following these simple tips, you can extend the life of your playdough and ensure that your little ones have endless hours of creative fun.

These simple methods can help you rehydrate and soften old playdough, saving you money and keeping your kids happy. So, next time you find a hard lump of playdough, don’t panic! Just follow these tips, and you’ll have soft, pliable playdough in no time.

Different Kinds of Playdough Recipes

Here are some more favorite play dough recipes, for all kinds of different ingredient play-doh recipe fun…

Also – If you keep having problems with playdough drying out, because your little ones won’t keep the lid on, consider Kinetic sand as that doesn’t dry out in the same way and you won’t need to spend time refreshing it.

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