Easy Slow Cooker Playdough Without Cream of Tartar

Most homemade playdoughs require cream of tartar. However, sometimes you don’t have that ingredient, but you have everything else. Learn how to make these super-easy slow cooker playdough without cream of tartar. It is honestly one of the easiest things we have done recently! 

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I remember trying to make homemade playdough on the stovetop and totally burning the flour when I was younger. Let’s just say it was not a great smell.

Don’t worry, this do-it-yourself playdough is so easy that even my 8 year-old self would be happy. When I realized you can make homemade playdough in your slow cooker I knew I had found a playdough idea for me (and you, too).

I was honestly shocked at how awesome this turned out. 

What is cream of tartar?

Cream of Tartar is an acidic powder that is created by fermented grapes. Some people think it is like baking soda or baking powder, but it is not. It is generally used in cooking, especially when beating egg whites. If you are big into baking or cooking, you may want to check out this article about the purpose of cream of tartar.

Why do a lot of homemade playdough recipes use cream of tartar?

Just like how cream of tartar can help a baker make meringue, the cream of tartar helps the homemade playdough keep its stiffness and not collapse on itself.

However, the good news other acidic ingredients can be used as substitutes for cream of tartar. Cream of tartar may also act as a preservative in homemade playdoughs. 

Some craft bloggers say that their homemade playdough lasts longer using cream of tartar. However, you will see that it is really worth a trip to the store if you have what we used instead.

What can be substituted instead of cream of tartar?

You can substitute lemon juice or vinegar for the cream of tartar in homemade playdough recipes. Cream of tartar isn’t always something everyone has in their pantry so it makes sense that you might want to try to make playdough without it.

Homemade Playdough Tips

• Save old store-bought playdough containers to store new playdough in or you can also purchase small air-tight containers to use. In a pinch, a good Ziploc bag should do the trick for a little.
• Use a baggie for easy coloring
• It is simpler to just make one color. Add food coloring in with wet ingredients.
• Make sure you don’t burn the playdough (check it every 20 minutes while in the slow cooker)

Homemade Slow Cooker Playdough Without Cream Of Tartar Recipe

Supplies

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 cups warm water
• 3 Tablespoons white vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch

Optional: Add Food Coloring

If you want to have your children enjoy the color-mixing fun. Place a ball of playdough in a bag with a few drops of coloring. Let the air out of the bag and close it.

Let your kiddos play and smush the color into the homemade playdough without getting a complete food coloring mess on their hands.

How To Make Slow Cooker Playdough

Step 1: Add dry ingredients to the slower cooker.

Step 2: Add wet ingredients (vinegar, oil and water). Completely mix them together.

Step 3: Cook on high for around an hour stirring every 20 minutes.

Step 4: Take out the Crock-Pot. Be careful as the playdough will be hot. However, my adult hands were able to mold it together pretty quickly. Don’t let your children just reach into the crockpot.

Step 5: Optional: Use food coloring to create different “balls” of colors. 

Step 6: Play and have fun with your DIY playdough and store in airtight containers when not in use. 

Easy playdough recipe without cream of tartar and vinegar

While we think the vinegar substitute works the best, you can also replace the easy homemade playdough recipe with lemon juice. 

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 cups warm water
• 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch

Repeat the how-to instructions above (or from the printable card below).

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This no cream of tartar, slow cooker playdough was a hit with our preschooler!

Do you like this art project? Please give us 5 stars below 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 and have fun being creative with your family.

Easy Slow Cooker Playdough

Learn how to make homemade playdough in your Crock Pot without using cream of tartar.

Print Tutorial

Prep:5 minutes mins

Creating:1 hour hr

Additional Time:15 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Equipment

• Slow Cooker
• Measuring Spoons or Cups

Supplies

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 cups warm water
• 3 Tablespoons white vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
• Food Coloring Gel Food Coloring or Regular

Instructions

• Add dry ingredients to the slower cooker.
• Add wet ingredients (vinegar, oil and water).
• Completely mix together.
• Cook on high for around an hour stirring every 20 minutes.
• Take out the Crock Pot. Be careful as the playdough will be hot. However, my adult hands were able to mold it together pretty quickly. Don’t let your children just reach in to the crock pot.
• Optional: Use food coloring to create different “balls” of colors.
  Store in airtight containers.
  

Video

Notes

• Save old store-bought playdough containers to store new playdough in or you can also purchase small air-tight containers to use. In a pinch, a good Ziploc bag should do the trick for a little.
• Use a baggie for easy coloring
• It is simpler to just make one color. Add food coloring with wet ingredients.
• Make sure you don’t burn the playdough (check it every 20 minutes while in the slow cooker)

Author: Erin

Cost: Less than $5