Instant Pot PlayDough

Did you think your Instant Pot was only for food?!? Well, think again! This versatile kitchen appliance is about to take your creativity to a whole new level!

While it’s known for its ability to whip up delicious meals in no time, the Instant Pot can also be your secret weapon for a wide range of non-food related projects. From crafting homemade beauty products to transforming household items, get ready to unlock the full potential of your Instant Pot in ways you never imagined.

If you’re looking for a fun and creative activity to keep your little ones entertained, homemade playdough is the perfect solution. And with the help of an Instant Pot, you can have it ready in no time! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a simple recipe for making colorful playdough using the Instant Pot. Get ready for hours of sensory play and endless possibilities!

Ingredients:

• 6 oz All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tsp Cream of tartar
• ⅓ cup Salt
• 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
• Food coloring (various colors)

Instructions:

Place a heatproof bowl inside the inner pot of your pressure cooker with all the ingredients (apart from the dye) mixed together. Ensure that there is already approximately half a cup of water in the bottom of the inner pot, with the trivet at the bottom too.

This additional water is separate from the recipe water and will not come into contact with the playdough.

Put on the pressure cooker lid, set it to sealing, and select the high pressure or manual setting.

Cook on high pressure or manual for 5 minutes.

It may take around 4-7 minutes for the pressure cooker to come to pressure.

Once the pressure cooker has reached the desired pressure, cook the playdough for 5 minutes.

After cooking, quickly release the pressure and remove the lid. 

When removing the playdough from the pressure cooker, it will be hot, so make sure to use oven mitts or hand protection for safety. Carefully scoop it out with a spatula. 

To recreate the experience of commercial playdough, you can divide the cooked playdough into three sections, which is approximately the same amount as a store-bought tub.

This allows you to create three different colors. Remember, the playdough will be hot initially, so it’s best to mix the colors yourself until it cools down enough for the kids to handle. If the playdough is still too hot for your hands, you can continue to use spatulas for handling. Safety first!

Once the cooked playdough has cooled down enough to handle, begin kneading it to achieve a smooth and pliable texture. While kneading, add the desired amount of food coloring or gel-based dyes to create vibrant colors. 

If you find that the playdough is too wet and sticky while kneading, you can easily fix it by adding more flour. Gradually sprinkle small amounts of flour onto the playdough and continue kneading until the desired consistency is achieved.

Tips:

• To make your playdough scented, add a few drops of essential oils during the kneading process.
• Store the playdough in airtight containers or resealable bags to keep it fresh for future play sessions.
• If the dough feels too sticky, add a small amount of flour and knead it in until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Experiment with different food coloring combinations to create unique shades and swirls.

Substitutions:

• You can use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour to make gluten-free playdough.
• If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute it with lemon juice or vinegar (1 tsp per 2 tsp cream of tartar).
• Feel free to use natural food coloring options like beet juice, turmeric, or spirulina powder for a more eco-friendly playdough.

FAQs:

Q: How long does homemade playdough last? A: Properly stored, homemade playdough can last for several weeks or even months. Keep it in a cool and dry place to ensure longevity.

Q: Can I add glitter or other embellishments to the playdough? A: Absolutely! Adding glitter, confetti, or small beads can enhance the sensory experience and spark creativity during playtime.

Q: Is this playdough safe for young children? A: Yes, this playdough is non-toxic and safe for children. However, always supervise young children while they play and avoid ingestion.

Q: Can I double or halve the recipe? A: Yes, you can easily adjust the quantities based on your needs. Just maintain the same proportions for best results.

Q: Can you provide a magic playdough recipe? Absolutely! Magic playdough is a popular variation that adds an extra element of fun and surprise to the sensory experience. Here’s a simple recipe for magic playdough:

Ingredients:

1 cup All-purpose flour

½ cup Salt

2 tsp Cream of tartar

1 cup Water

1 tbsp Vegetable oil

Food coloring (various colors)

Glitter or small confetti (optional)

Instructions:

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar together.

In a separate saucepan, combine the water, vegetable oil, and food coloring.

Heat the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a gentle simmer.

Slowly pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.

Allow the dough to cool for a few minutes before kneading it until smooth.

If desired, add glitter or small confetti for a magical touch.

Store the playdough in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Q: Do you have a playdough cookie recipe? Yes, we do! Playdough cookies are a delightful and imaginative way to engage children in pretend baking. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

Playdough (in various colors)

Cookie cutters

Rolling pin

Optional: Decorative icing and sprinkles

Instructions:

Flatten the playdough with a rolling pin until it is about ¼-inch thick.

Use cookie cutters to create shapes from the playdough, just like real cookies.

Place the playdough cookies on a flat surface or baking sheet.

If desired, use decorative icing and sprinkles to add colorful details and designs.

Let the kids’ imaginations soar as they “bake” and decorate their playdough cookies.

Enjoy the pretend play and creativity with these adorable playdough treats.

Q: Can you share a playdough recipe without cream of tartar and no cooking? Certainly! If you don’t have cream of tartar or prefer a no-cook option, here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups All-purpose flour

½ cup Salt

2 tbsp Vegetable oil

¾ cup Warm water

Food coloring (various colors)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt together.

Add the vegetable oil and warm water to the dry mixture.

Stir until a dough forms and everything is well incorporated.

Divide the dough into smaller portions for different colors, if desired.

Add a few drops of food coloring to each portion and knead until the color is evenly distributed.

Once all the colors are ready, the playdough is now set for sculpting and molding.

Store the playdough in airtight containers to maintain its freshness.

Remember, these recipes are not meant for consumption and are solely intended for creative play. Have fun exploring the world of playdough and let your imagination run wild!

Remember, these recipes are not meant for consumption and are solely intended for creative play. Have fun exploring the world of playdough and let your imagination run wild!

Now that you have a simple and hassle-free recipe for Instant Pot playdough, let your child’s imagination run wild! Watch as they create masterpieces, shapes, and stories using this colorful and fun sensory material. Enjoy the bonding time and the joy that comes with creative play!