Gluten Free Playdough Recipe
Inside: A gluten free playdough recipe with a corn free variation. Perfect for sensory play.
When we were trialing an elimination diet for one of our children, I was determined to find a gluten and corn free playdough recipe as it is such a popular sensory play activity in our home. Many of the gluten free recipes I found online at the time included cornflour/cornstarch which made them unsuitable for our particular dietary challenges. So I decided to try tweaking my regular homemade playdough recipe to make it gluten and corn free, and I am so pleased with how it turned out.
Gluten Free Playdough Recipe (with Corn Free Variation)
After some experimentation, I found that brown rice flour was the best alternative flour for this cooked gluten free playdough recipe (see the full recipe below). The main difference I found between preparing the dough with regular flour and brown rice flour was the need to let the playdough fully cool before kneading it (after it has been cooked).
To color your dough, you can add liquid food coloring to the pot with the other ingredients before cooking – for playdough of one color – or, as we did, break the dough into balls once it is cooked and kneaded, and add a drop or two of the liquid food coloring to each ball to create a variety of colors.
This playdough is generally moister than other homemade playdough and may stick to paper or a wooden tabletop. We simply play on a plastic place mat to avoid this problem.
Gluten Free Playdough Recipe (with variation for Corn Free Playdough)
A homemade gluten free playdough recipe for sensory play, with variation for Corn Free Playdough.
Materials
- 1 firmly packed cup brown rice flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup table salt *see notes for corn free variation
- 1 Tablespoon oil
- 1 Tablespoon cream of tartar
- Liquid food coloring *see notes for options for coloring dough
Tools
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Chopping board
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a medium sized saucepan.
- Stir continuously over a medium heat until the mixture congeals and forms a ball, it will take approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Continue to turn the ball over on the heat for another 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and turn dough out onto a board or the bench top.
- Allow to cool completely. Although it can be difficult to wait, when cooking with alternative flours you need to let the dough cool before handling so the ingredients fully bind. Break your ball of dough into smaller pieces to speed up the cooling process if necessary.
- Once cool, knead until the dough is smooth. Sprinkle with a little rice flour as you knead if the dough feels at all sticky but be sure to only add a little at a time to prevent your dough drying out.
Notes
- For those with corn sensitivities replace table salt with Mediterranean Sea Salt.
- Liquid food coloring can be added directly to the pot with the rest of the ingredients (before cooking) if you prefer dough of all one color. Alternatively, knead a drop or two of color into balls of the prepared dough. If the dough becomes sticky, add a touch more rice flour and knead.
- This dough is generally moister than other homemade playdoughs and
may stick to paper or a wooden tabletop. Provide a plastic placemat for play
to prevent this issue. - Store playdough in an air tight container or wrapped tightly in a plastic bag in a cool, dry place. Do not refridgerate
For more sensory play ideas, check out these related articles;
Awesome, thank you for the wonderful recipe 🙂
Hope you find it useful, Kylie 🙂
Thanks for this recipe!!! We are currently gluten-free for my 5 year old (not specified as to what the exact problem is – allergy or Celiac) and sometimes I feel that he is still being exposed to “triggers” somewhere. You mentioned a corn allergy in this post and I’m curious as to what you are experiencing – if you don’t mind me asking. I only ask because I have been trying to do this by myself for a little over a year now – none of his doctors “believe” me (long story). If you feel like sharing your experiences I would greatly appreciate it! Have a great day!
Amy
Great work Christie…going to keep this for future reference in case i have kids in care with a similar allergy. Thanks for sharing.
This could be great for kids with eosinophilic GI disorders. Triggers vary, but wheat and corn are common triggers! Looking forward to trying it. Thank you!
Great recipe! For corn allergic people…iodized salt is processed with corn (dextrose). A substitute would be Mediterranean Sea Salt.
Thank you so much for that tip, Kym.
I modified a play dough recipe recently for my 2 year old with a wheat and corn allergy (he’s also allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, soy and sesame). I am going to give your recipe a try as well! Thanks!
As a preschool teacher I had a love playdough. In a classroom, playdough is absolutely vital but as a celiac, I can’t go anywhere near it. I’ve never had it in my classroom and feel a twinge of guilt whenever the children as why we don’t have any. Finally I had the brilliant idea to make gluten-free stuff. This is the first recipe I’ve seen without corn starch, thank you! I can’t wait to make it and bring it to preschool 🙂
How long does this dough last? Do I store it in the fridge?
Ours lasts for quite a long time if we pack it away straight after we’ve finished playing with it, NancySue. We wrap it in plastic (air tight) and keep it in the pantry, not the fridge.
Thanks so much… we’re going to try this too, for a substitute for mini marshmallow with toothpick building. (bridges etc.) Thanks again!!
Thanks so much for this! We just found out about our daughter’s many allergies. I’m making this for her to take to preschool when her class plays. Quick question: Can I use Kool-aid for the coloring? (it’ll also add a yummy smell!)
I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t work, Lisa. We don’t have Kool-aid in Australia so I can’t be 100% sure but I think it will be fine 🙂
Thank you for posting your recipe. I look forward to trying it out. It’s not easy looking for substitute play items or food when a loved one has a food allergy. I’m a new mom and adding a corn allergy to that is a challenge. I would appreciate any other tips or recipes. It’s encouraging to find what other people come up with to side step the issue. I’m still hoping he grows out of it since he’s only 21 months but it doesn’t hurt to prepare for the long run. Thanks again!