Super Easy Slow Cooker Playdough Recipe Without Cream Of Tartar
Do you want to make homemade playdough but are out of cream of tartar? Don’t worry, there is no need to buy expensive ingredients when you can make this easy playdough recipe (no cream of tartar needed) in your slow cooker with ingredients you probably already have!
This playdough recipe has been a long-time reader favorite since it was published in November 2021. This post was updated with a better format and new tips in January 2026.
When I was younger, I remember trying to make homemade playdough on the stove and totally burning the flour. Let’s say it did not smell great.
Don’t worry, this do-it-yourself playdough is so easy that even my 8-year-old self would be happy. Using a slow cooker to cook playdough makes this an easy, no-fail playdough recipe.
Why You Will Love This Homemade Play Dough
What is cream of tartar?
Cream of Tartar is an acidic powder also known as potassium bitartrate. It is commonly used in baking to stabilize egg whites and whipped cream, and it can also act as a leveling agent or be used for household cleaning. If you are big into baking or cooking, you may want to check out this article about the purpose of cream of tartar.
What can I substitute for cream of tartar in playdough?
Lemon juice or white vinegar can be used instead of cream of tartar in homemade playdough recipes.
Supplies You’ll Need
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How To Make Slow Cooker Playdough (No Cream Of Tartar)
SAFETY FIRST – Always supervise children around slow cookers and when using coloring or scents.
Step 1: Add Dry Ingredients
Add flour, salt and cornstarch to your slow cooker.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Add vinegar, oil, and water and stir together.
Step 3: Cook On High
Cook on high for around an hour, stirring every 20 minutes with a whisk or fork.
Step 4: Repeat
Continue cooking and stirring unitl the mixture becomes dough like.
Step 5: Remove Playdough
Be careful since the playdough will be hot. My adult hands were able to mold it together pretty quickly. Don’t let your children reach into the crockpot.
Optional: Add Color
Add few drops of food coloring or essential oils to create different colored playdoughs or to make scented dough.
Tip For Mixing Colors
- Place small batches of the 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.
READ MORE – You can see how we used this recipe in our fun color wheel playdough activity.
Tips
- ONE COLOR ONLY – It is simpler to add food coloring to the wet ingredients.
- KEEP STIRRING – To avoid burning your dough, check and stir your playdough every 20 minutes.
- OTHER ADD-INS – Consider gel food coloring or Kool-Aid to create colorful play dough. Be cautious, though, and check for allergies before adding essential oils, colors, and more.
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FAQs
To make any homemade playdough recipe last as long as possible, store it in airtight containers in a cool place. If you store your playdough properly, it should last for 1-3 months. Check before each use.
We have not tested this recipe on the stovetop, but we are sure that it would work. Making this playdough on your stovetop would reduce cooking time, but you would have to actively stir and watch the whole time.
If you find spots that have not cooked, stir and mix the play dough in the slow cooker, and let it cook for 5-minute increments until it reaches your desired consistency. You can also mix a small Tablespoon of flour into the dough to see if it absorbs any extra moisture that may have come from the food coloring or essential oils.
Just like cream of tartar helps a baker make meringue, it helps homemade playdough keep its stiffness and from collapsing. However, the good news is that other acidic ingredients can be used as substitutes for cream of tartar. Cream of tartar may also act as a preservative in homemade playdough.
More Fun Kid Activity Ideas
If you are searching for a homemade playdough recipe without cream of tartar, this slow cooker version is a great choice. Our kiddos loved this soft and smooth playdough, and I loved how easy and cheap it was to make! My 8-year-old self only wishes they knew about this recipe.
Do you like this Crafty Art Idea? Please give us 5 stars below 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 and have fun being creative with your family.
Slow Cooker Playdough Recipe Without Cream Of Tartar
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)
I’ve learned so much about cream of tartar today! I didn’t know it was an acid or that acid was a key ingredient and now I’m a bit tempted to experiment with other acids. Very interesting article.
Hi Melissa. I am glad we inspired you! Have fun with your next creative idea.
This is awesome! I never thought to make homemade play doh!
Hi Lindsay! Yes, homemade playdough for the win! Saves a ton of money.
This is so fun! I cant wait to try this with my nephew!
Hi Lyssa. My kiddos had a complete blast with this homemade playdough recipe. I honestly couldn’t get over how great it turned out.
This looks very easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Meghan. I am glad you like this simple and easy slow cooker playdough recipe. Thanks for visiting our site.