Glitter Playdough – Soft, Sparkly & Fun DIY Recipe

A batch of homemade glitter playdough in vibrant colors with sparkles

This Glitter Playdough is a super soft, sparkly, and fun homemade playdough that’s perfect for sensory play, craft time, or themed activities. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this non-toxic, easy-to-make dough stays soft for weeks and is a great alternative to store-bought playdough!

Ingredients:

For the Playdough Base:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup salt
  • 2 tbsp cream of tartar (for elasticity & softness)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or baby oil for extra smoothness)
  • 1 ½ cups boiling water
  • Food coloring (any color of choice)
  • 2–3 tbsp glitter (fine or chunky, your choice!)

Preparation:

1: Mix Dry Ingredients

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and cream of tartar.

2: Add Wet Ingredients

  1. In a separate bowl, mix the boiling water, vegetable oil, and food coloring.
  2. Gradually pour the hot liquid into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously.

3: Knead Until Smooth

  1. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, knead with your hands until a soft dough forms.
  2. If the dough is too sticky, add a little flour; if too dry, add a few drops of water.

4: Add the Glitter

  1. Sprinkle in 2–3 tbsp of glitter and knead until fully incorporated.
  2. If desired, mix in multiple colors of glitter for a magical effect.

5: Store & Play!

  1. Store the playdough in airtight containers or ziplock bags to keep it soft.
  2. Let kids roll, mold, and create fun shapes with their sparkly new playdough!

Storage & Shelf Life:

  • Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months.
  • If playdough starts to dry out, knead in a few drops of water or oil to restore softness.

Serving Suggestions & Uses:

  • Perfect for playdates & classrooms!
  • DIY party favors – package in small jars for fun gifts.
  • Use with cookie cutters & rolling pins for fun shapes.

Tips for the Best Glitter Playdough:

  1. Use extra fine glitter – it blends smoothly into the dough.
  2. Let kids mix the glitter themselves for a hands-on sensory activity!
  3. For a softer dough, add 1 tbsp cornstarch.

Prep Time:

  • 5 minutes

Total Time:

  • 10 minutes

FAQs:

Q: Is this playdough safe for toddlers?

A: Yes! However, it is not edible, so always supervise young children.

Q: Can I make this playdough gluten-free?

A: Yes! Use gluten-free all-purpose flour instead of regular flour.

Q: What if my playdough is too sticky?

A: Knead in extra flour (1 tbsp at a time) until the texture improves.

Q: Can I bake this playdough to harden it?

A: No, this playdough is meant for soft play and does not bake like salt dough.

Conclusion:

Glitter Playdough is a sparkly, fun, and easy-to-make sensory dough that provides endless creative play! With its soft texture, customizable colors, and glittery shine, this homemade playdough is perfect for kids’ crafts, party favors, and rainy-day activities. Try making it today and let creativity shine! ✨🎨

Print
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A batch of homemade glitter playdough in vibrant colors with sparkles

Glitter Playdough – Soft, Sparkly & Fun DIY Recipe


  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

For the Playdough Base:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup salt
  • 2 tbsp cream of tartar (for elasticity & softness)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or baby oil for extra smoothness)
  • 1 ½ cups boiling water
  • Food coloring (any color of choice)
  • 23 tbsp glitter (fine or chunky, your choice!)

Instructions

Preparation:

1: Mix Dry Ingredients

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and cream of tartar.

2: Add Wet Ingredients

  1. In a separate bowl, mix the boiling water, vegetable oil, and food coloring.
  2. Gradually pour the hot liquid into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously.

3: Knead Until Smooth

  1. Once the mixture has cooled slightly, knead with your hands until a soft dough forms.
  2. If the dough is too sticky, add a little flour; if too dry, add a few drops of water.

4: Add the Glitter

  1. Sprinkle in 2–3 tbsp of glitter and knead until fully incorporated.
  2. If desired, mix in multiple colors of glitter for a magical effect.

5: Store & Play!

  1. Store the playdough in airtight containers or ziplock bags to keep it soft.
  2. Let kids roll, mold, and create fun shapes with their sparkly new playdough!
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes