Today I was chatting at my Mom’s Bible study and realized this would be a good thing to post.  Gluten is not just in food items.  And let’s face it, sometimes, for some kids, playdoh does get licked and chewed on.  Blah!  We always had trouble with playdoh as it got under my daughter’s nails and that was impossible to get cleaned out before she put her hands into her mouth or she ate.  Again, blah!


Gluten-free Play Clay 

(as found on Arm and Hammer’s Baking Soda)


1 one pound box of baking soda

1 cup corn starch

1 1/4 cups cold water


Stir together baking soda and corn starch in saucepan.  Add water and cook over medium heat (stirring constantly)  until mixture reaches consistency of moist mashed potatoes (approximately 10-15 min.  Remove and put on plate.  Cover with a damp cloth.  When cool enough to handle, pat until smooth.  Store in airtight container.  Can be used to make air dried sculpture and painted.


Gluten-free Playdoh


1/2 cup rice flour

1/2 cup corn starch

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup water

1 tsp cooking oil

food coloring


Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes or until it forms into a ball.  When cool enough to handle, knead.  Store in airtight container.


Also can model with beeswax, polymer and art clay and Crayola Model Magic.  (NO PLAY-DOH).


Paper Mache Pulp


2 cups gluten-free flour (any mix will do)

2 tsp xanthan gum

1 ½ cups water

¼ cup white glue


Mix ingredients thoroughly, adding the flour, xanthan gum, and glue to the water a little at a time.  Stir the mixture frequently with a whisk.  The objective is to get a smooth, even mixture with no lumps or air bubbles.  Tear newspaper into long, thin strips.  Dip the paper into the pulp mixture above and scrape the excess off with your fingers.  Layer the pulp-covered strips onto your project.