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I have a fun family activity for you today: DIY Galactic Playdough. This sensory stuff is from a galaxy far, far away...or your stovetop (we'll never tell!). It's also a lovely scented playdough, too.

I am in the midst of party-planning craziness for my just-turned-five-year-old. We're having a Star Wars party and our take-home favor is this Galactic Playdough. I adapted this recipe from a version of glitter playdough I've seen on Pinterest.  This would also be great in a sensory table or just to play with during a preschool's outer space unit. 

Galactic Playdough

This recipe for homemade playdough is a great rainy day activity. The process is slightly messy, but the end result is not! 

Download the printable recipe here.

Supplies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon Cream of Tartar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• black food coloring gel paste (I use this kind so it doesn't stain after it finishes cooking), you'll need between 1-2 tablespoons, depending on your liking
• 1/4 cup glitter (or more to your liking)
• 2 teaspoons pure mint extract (not pictured in above photo)

Directions:

• Combine water, food coloring gel and oil in large stockpot. Turn on your stove to medium heat and stir.

• Combine all dry ingredients (except glitter) and add to the liquids while they're still heating (don't let your liquids get to a boil...just hot enough to incorporate everything). 

• Stir very well...it may take a while to get everything mixed. This is the "beginning stage" of stirring.

• Now is the time to add in your mint and continue to stir. (I only do this to make it smell nice...I hate stinky play dough. And of course, I'm almost positive outer space smells nice and minty.)

• Almost ready. If yours is still super soft, you can add in a bit more flour, until it's a more pliable consistency. I made FOUR (sheesh) batches of this stuff and half of them were a bit soft and I had to add some more flour. It was a very easy fix.
• Once 99% of the dry ingredients are incorporated, go ahead and pull the dough out of your pot (I put mine onto a cutting board) and let cool for 10 minutes. Give it a few kneads before adding the glitter...

• Make a small well in the center of the dough and add your glitter to it. Then work it in by turning it, folding it, kneading it, etc.

• It's some sparkly madness, I tell ya.

• Store in airtight container.

Download the printable recipe here.

I purchased these deli take-out containers here on Amazon. I added a star cookie-cutter and that's it. A really inexpensive (and fun) take-home favor.

Hoping your family enjoys this one!