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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

This DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe is an easy kids activity that you can do for a classroom or teacher's gift for Valentine's Day. It only takes a few minutes, and 5 ingredients (minimum) to make, and lasts for months! (makes about 1 lb. 11.6 ounces)

DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe

Hello Sweethearts! It's February! Do you have your Valentine's Day teachers gifts and classroom gifts picked out yet?

I have an easy DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe that is a fun activity you can do with your family.

This DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe makes for hours and hours of play entertainment for your little one.

This recipe is inspired by my Awesome DIY Playdough (link below) here on Life's Little Sweets.

You can give this DIY Valentine’s Day Playdough Recipe as a classmate gift.

I was able to find all the ingredients I needed for this DIY Valentine’s Day Playdough Recipe at Walmart too.

RELATED: Unicorn Rainbow Cake

Check out the selection that we bought below for my daughter's teachers and family members!

Ingredients for DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup salt (I use Kosher salt but you can use iodized or another kind as well)
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil (or vegetable oil)
• up to 1 ½ cups boiling water *use the amount you want for desired consistency
• red gel food coloring, use the amount of drops you want for the desired color
• 2-4 drops essential oil *optional, we like lavender for its calming effects

Kitchen Tools Needed for DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe

• large heatproof mixing bowl
• baking spatula
• pastry mat or large cutting board for a kneading surface
• dough scraper *optional
• plastic zip-up bags for storing or an airtight container

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Step-by-Step Tutorial for DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe

Here is a step-by-step tutorial with photos of every step on how to make this DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe. I also include a printable of the instructions at the end of the post for your convenience!

Step #1 - Gather your kitchen tools and all the ingredients

Step #2 - Mix Dry Ingredients, then oil

Mix all the dry ingredients together. I like to use a stiff baking spatula for this part.

You can use your hand to make sure the oil is mixed throughout the dry ingredients.

Step #3 - Add desired Red Gel Food Coloring and Boil Water

You can always add more when you are kneading the playdough if it is not dark enough. I used about 12 drops for the playdough in the pictures shown here but this might vary depending on the brand you use.

Step #4 - Combine the boiled water-red food coloring mixture gradually with the flour-oil mixture

Using a stiff spatula, gradually mix together. When it gets too thick to mix with the spatula, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead.

Step #5 - Mix and then knead to the desired consistency

Add more flour, if necessary, to make the mixture less sticky. Please note that as the mixture cools, it will become less sticky.

Step #6 - Allow to cool completely, play with and store!

Tip: Allow to cool completely so that there's no condensation when you store it in the refrigerator.

For optimal storage, store in Zip-up bags with the air squeezed out in the refrigerator.

Now that it is done, you can play with your new playdough for hours. You can also make a batch to give as a teacher's gift or a gift for classmates. Make sure to include a Hallmark Signature card with this DIY Valentine’s Day Playdough Recipe!

Check out our 2nd Facebook Live episode where we make this play dough recipe! Be sure to follow us on FB to see more episodes!

• If you like this DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe, Check out DIY Heart-Shaped Crayons & Awesome DIY Playdough Recipe

Have you made your own homemade Playdough before? Let me know in the comments below! Best Wishes, ~Sara

Pin “DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe” to your “Valentine's Day” Board! ⇓

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DIY Valentine's Day Playdough Recipe

Yield: 1 lb. 11.6 ounces

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Difficulty: medium

Estimated Cost: 0.00

This DIY Valentine’s Day Playdough Recipe is an easy kids activity that you can do for a classroom or teacher’s gift for Valentine’s Day along with Hallmark Signature Valentine’s Day Cards. It only takes only a few minutes, 5 ingredients (minimum) to make and lasts for months!

Print

Materials

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup salt (I use Kosher salt but you can use iodized or another kind as well)
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil (or vegetable oil)
• up to 1 ½ cups boiling water *use the amount you want for desired consistency
• red gel food coloring, use the amount of drops you want for desired color
• 2-4 drops essential oil *optional, we like lavender for its calming effects

Tools

• large heatproof mixing bowl
• baking spatula
• pastry mat or large cutting board for a kneading surface
• dough scraper *optional
• plastic zip up bags for storing or an airtight container

Instructions

1. In a large, heat safe mixing bowl, mix dry ingredients (flour, salt and cream of tartar) together. Evenly mix in 2 tablespoons of canola oil (it helps to do this part with your fingers).
2. Bring 1½ cups water to a boil, add desired amount of red food coloring (more can be kneaded into the dough later as well).
3. Gradually add the hot water to the flour mixture, stirring with a baking spatula between additions. When it comes together, turn out onto a floured surface and knead until the playdough is even in texture and not sticky anymore. As it cools, it will get less sticky. You can add more flour to the mixture as you are kneading to make it more dry and less sticky.

Notes

For optimal storage, store in Zip-up bags with the air squeezed out in the refrigerator.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned #ad

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  Cuisinart 719-16 Chef's Classic Stainless Saucepan with Cover, 1 ½ Quart
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  Wilton Easy Flex Silicone Spatula Set, Your Go-To Tools for Mixing, Folding, Scraping, Cooking and Serving., Blue, 3-Piece
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  Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls by Finedine (Set of 6) Polished Mirror Finish Nesting Bowl, ¾ - 1.5-3 - 4-5 - 8 Quart - Cooking Supplies
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  Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup, Red Graphics, Clear
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  Homestia Gold Measuring Cups and Spoons Set Stainless Steel 8 PIECE for Dry and Liquid Ingredients Engraved Measurement Heavy Duty Baking & Cooking Utensils

Did you make this DIY project?

Did you make this DIY project? If you share it on social media tag us @lifeslittlesweets and hashtag it #lifeslittlesweets - Thank you in advance!

• Updated & republished: 2/3/2025

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Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.

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