Rolling a sausage, flattening a pancake or making a wobbly creature can be enough for an afternoon’s play. This recipe uses hot water, so an adult must prepare it and check it has cooled completely before a child touches it.
This dough is not food
The mixture contains a large amount of salt and flour. Do not let children taste or eat it, and keep it away from pets. If a child is likely to put dough in their mouth, choose another activity. Check every ingredient for relevant allergies, including wheat in plain flour.
The Food Standards Agency’s flour guidance covers crafts as well as cooking: raw flour can carry harmful bacteria, hands and surfaces need washing, and home heat treatment is not a guarantee of safety.
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour.
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil.
- ½ cup salt.
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar.
- 1½ cups boiling water, handled by an adult only.
- Food colouring, optional.
Use measuring cups, not a mixture of different mugs. The original recipe uses cup measures; weigh-and-test conversions have not been added. Food colouring can stain, so protect the work surface and clothing.
Adult preparation
- Put the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a heatproof mixing bowl on a stable surface, away from children.
- An adult adds the boiling water carefully and stirs with a utensil. Add optional colouring without splashing.
- Leave the dough to cool completely, including its centre. Do not knead hot dough or let children handle it while it is still warm inside.
- Once fully cool, an adult can knead it. If adjusting with more flour, remember that this adds raw flour; do not treat the dough as edible.
Keep play simple and supervised
Offer a clear space and age-appropriate tools. Avoid small loose decorations for children who might swallow them. Stay with the activity and stop if the dough is being mouthed. Wash hands before and after handling it, and clean the table and utensils afterwards.
After play
Keep any retained dough in a clearly labelled container, separate from food and out of children’s and pets’ reach. Discard it if dirty or deteriorating. This recipe does not establish a tested storage life.
For another option, see homemade craft paint and its suitability advice, or find more ideas through Dad Tips.
Updated 10 September 2026. Sources used for the guidance are linked above.
Leave a Reply