Wheat and Gluten Free Playdough for Children

What is Gluten Free Playdough

Gluten[1] is actually a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. It makes foods stick together while increasing their stretchy. Thanks to the gluten present in flour, people use it to make different shapes like noodles, pizza, bread, and more. In fact, flour makes regular play dough.

For most people, eating gluten-containing foods regularly is good for their health. However, gluten is a double-edged sword. People with certain allergies may suffer stomach issues, allergies or herpetic dermatitis. I believe that no mother wants to see these things happen to their children.

The ingredient in gluten-free playdough is not wheat flour, but rice flour, corn flour or other gluten-free starches. Even sensitive babies will not cause bad reactions when exposed to these “flours”.

Is Regular Play Dough Gluten-Free

No, regular playdough has wheat flour, which contains gluten. So, kids with celiac disease or wheat allergies should not play with it. Because they may come into contact with it in their mouths while playing, causing an allergic reaction.

If your child likes play dough toys, we recommend you buy wheat-free and gluten-free ones. Also, moms can make the dough at home using gluten-free rice flour or cornmeal instead of wheat flour.

Benefits of Gluten-Free Playdough

For decades, playdough has created a happy childhood for countless kids. According to the Michigan State University, play dough helps improve motor skills, creativity, imagination, and learn about math and science[2].

Gluten-free playdough also has these benefits.

• Motor Skills

Children are active and will make the play dough into various shapes by rolling, squeezing and kneading. In this activity, children can learn to use their hands and eyes. These skills will help them easily write, draw, type and other activities that need fingers.

• Creativity and Imagination

You must have seen the play dough works, they are the product of creativity and imagination.

In fact, at an early age, children can use molds and pressed toys to make simple things, such as caterpillars, noodles, pizza, etc. During play, children develop their cognitive and observation skills. When they talk and play with friends, they may create surprising works.

• Science and Mathematics

Why can children learn science and math by playing playdough? In fact, when children are mixing different dough and making them into other colors, which is scientific experiments.

You can ask the children how much dough they used and tell them what one color will look like when mixed with another. This is a chance for children to learn about science and mathematics. When they ask questions and trying things out, they will think about the logic behind the actions.

• Celiac Friendly

Most importantly, gluten-free play dough is more friendly and safe for children with allergies than regular one. Mothers can safely let their children play with this dough.

Why do You Need Gluten-Free Play Dough

Gluten-free play dough allows babies with celiac disease to play with healthy kids.

We know that play dough is a teaching toy, and no mother wants her child to miss it. Statistics show that most people around the world can eat gluten safely, and only 1% of people will have adverse reactions. In most families, children play with playdough. But moms won’t allow babies with celiac disease to take part in.

Obviously, they will lose the opportunity to play with their peers. When children have to lose some happiness, we don’t want them to lose more. And moms don’t want their kids to feel left out or have trouble making friends early on.

Gluten- and wheat-free play dough can solve the dilemma of babies with celiac disease. It allows them to have the same happy childhood as healthy peers.

Celiac disease and food allergies

Regular playdough is not good for children with celiac disease, because it has gluten in it.

Sincerely, if a child is allergic to wheat and gluten, parents should not expose them to play dough. Children may ingest it by mistake during play. The allergic reactions, including throat swelling, hives, shortness of breath, diarrhea, cramps, etc, are severe.

Moms who want their children to play happily and safely can buy gluten- and wheat-free play dough. Also, moms can make their own gluten-free dough at home.

Making Gluten-Free Playdough at Home

Gluten-free playdough has simple ingredients so moms can make it at home in their kitchen. But be sure to choose gluten-free ingredients when preparing them.

Ingredients

• Gluten-free flours: rice flour and cornstarch. This is the main ingredient of play dough.
• Water: Ordinary purified water is OK. The role of water is to bind others.
• Salt: table salt or sea salt. Salt inhibits mold and controls moisture.
• Vegetable oil: peanut, canola, coconut or olive oil. The oil prevents the play dough from getting sticky while ensuring the right softness.
• Cream of Tartar: Used to improve the softness and texture of playdough.
• Food coloring: Allows the dough to have different colors.

You can buy the above ingredients in supermarkets. Please note, when buy flour be sure to check if it contains gluten!

Homemade Playdough Recipe

Before making our own dough, we need to prepare some ingredients.

Material preparation

• ½ cup rice flour (about 150-170g)
• ½ cup corn flour (about 150-170g), corn flour can be less than rice flour.
• ⅓ cup salt (about 100-120g)
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2½ cups water (about 550-580ml) If you don’t want to cook, replace it with boiling water.

Optional materials: food coloring, flavoring

Steps

Add the rice flour, cornmeal, salt and cream of tartar to the pot and stir slowly.

Pour in oil and water and stir evenly. If you prefer not to cook, refrain from adding water at this time.

Cook: Turn on the heat or place on the induction cooker to heat. You need to keep stirring it to make sure it doesn’t burn. Stop heating when it turns into an elastic ball.

Or

No Cook: Pour boiling water slowly into the pot along the walls, stirring evenly as you pour. You can pour half the water in first, and if the dough is a little dry after mixing, add more water. Stop stirring when all the flour turns into round balls.

Place the dough on a cutting board or smooth surface and let cool before playing. You can divide the dough into several pieces, drop in different food colorings, and knead them to even out the color. A few drops of food coloring will give the dough some color.

Tips and Tricks

You may run into problems when making your own playdough.

• The dough is hard

If you or your children find that the dough is hard to shape while playing, spray some water on the surface and knead it again. Dropping oil into the dough will prevent the water from disappearing.

• Why is dough sticky

If there is too much water in the dough, it will stick to your hands. Just add a small amount of corn flour or rice flour and knead again.

• Make the dough more interesting

By adding food coloring and spices, the dough can take on different colors and flavors. Apart from this, you can also add sequins or small toys to the dough to make it more attractive.

How to Store Play Dough

After playing, you’d better seal the homemade playdough with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Plastic wrap can prevent the moisture in the play dough from disappearing, while avoiding exposure to air and reducing mold.

Refrigerated playdough will last for several weeks, but you should check it for mold before each play time. If moldy occurs, throw it away promptly.

Where To Buy Gluten Free Playdough

You can buy gluten-free playdough at nearby toy chain supermarkets or stationery stores. Through the Internet, you can find many toy retailers, ask them your needs, and they will recommend suitable products for you.

If you sell toys and want to buy gluten-free play dough at a good price, contact us for a quote.

Or, leave your email address and we will reply to you within 24 hours.

Why do Kids Like Play Dough

Playdough has been around for 70 years, delighting kids and spanning generations. When they grow up, they continue to let their children play with playdough. Without a doubt, this is one of the most successful toys in the world.

Creative Play Ideas with Gluten-Free Playdough

Children can use play dough to create simple works that will make them happy and proud. Actually, if you observe students in the class, you will see that the children who show their work are always more confident. They are more willing to express and cooperate.

Creation is a self-motivating positive feedback behavior. When kids face challenges or achieve something, it encourages them to keep exploring.

Educational Benefits and Motor Skills

Parents may like the educational benefits of playdough. Because dough is soft and easy to shape, children will naturally move their fingers when holding it. They will knead, pinch, roll, cut, and press, etc. This is a great finger exercise.

Children who often play playdough generally have more flexible fingers. In the future, kids will find it easier to learn how to hold a pen, type, or do delicate tasks.

In addition, parents can use play dough to teach children letters, colors and shapes. Learning anything new is challenging, which keeps children curious and exploring. They will learn to ask questions, communicate, collaborate and share.

Conclusion

Gluten-free playdough is becoming the first choice among moms because it is safe for all children. Especially for families with celiac disease and wheat allergies, gluten-free playdough is a boon to them.

FAQ

Continue reading for frequently asked questions about gluten-free playdough.

How To Make Gluten Free Playdough Less Sticky

Homemade gluten-free playdough may be sticky, you can sprinkle it with a small amount of rice flour or cornmeal. After kneading, the dough will be less sticky. Adding the right vegetable oil while making can reduce the viscosity.

Is Gluten-Free Playdough Safe for Children

Yes, gluten-free playdough is safe for all children, especially those with gluten and wheat allergies. It does not have ingredients that may cause allergic reactions so children can play safely and happily.

Is Gluten-Free Playdough Edible

Although gluten-free playdough is friendly and safe for all children, it is not a food and is not edible. Likewise, we don’t want children eating homemade gluten-free dough, which can be unclean and cause choking.

How Long Does Gluten-Free Playdough Last

• Unopened gluten-free playdough has a shelf life of up to 12-18 months.
• Store the opened playdough airtight and it will last for several months.
• Gluten-free playdough generally only lasts a few weeks when stored unsealed.
• Homemade gluten-free playdough will last for weeks when refrigerated. It may become moldy quickly when stored at room temperature.

References

1. Gluten: A Benefit or Harm to the Body?
2. Purpose of playing with play dough