No Cook Glow in the Dark Playdough Fun

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No cook glow-in-the-dark playdough is a fun and easy DIY activity that will entertain your kids for hours. Unlike traditional playdough recipes that require cooking, this recipe can be made in just a few minutes with a handful of basic ingredients. With the added bonus of glowing in the dark, this playdough recipe craft will surely be a hit with kids of all ages.

We’ll look closer at what ingredient makes things glow in the dark, how to make glow-in-the-dark playdough, and the benefits of making it with your kids. Now, let’s get ready to glow!

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You can use any type of cosmetic-grade pigment powder for this project, but we recommend using one that has been tested for safety on the skin. If you’re making this for young children or sensitive skin types, we recommend choosing a shade that is less intense than the brightest colors like blue or pink so there’s less chance of irritation from prolonged exposure.

What Ingredient Makes Things Glow in the Dark?

The ingredient that makes things glow in the dark is called phosphors. These are materials that absorb energy from light sources such as sunlight or artificial light and then release that energy slowly over time in the form of visible light. When phosphors are added to a material like paint, plastic, or playdough, they will continue to glow after the light source is removed, giving off a soft, eerie glow.

How do you make Glow in the Dark Play dough?

what ingredients do you need to make glow in the dark playdough?

Tips and Tricks

  • If you want to make your playdough brighter, add more pigment powder. You can also try adding food coloring to get different colors.
  • Match the color of the food coloring to the color of the glow-in-the-dark pigments. Lighter colors will glow better than darker colors. 
  • A black light is not needed for this glow-in-the-dark playdough but might enhance the experience.
  • Also, note that the pigments must be charged in sunlight to glow in the dark. The longer they charge and the more pigments used, the longer the playdough will glow. To avoid discoloring your hands, wear gloves when mixing the colors.
  • When making any kind of homemade craft or toy for kids (or adults!), remember that safety is key: always use non-toxic materials and follow all safety precautions listed on the packaging label.


Ingredients Needed to No Cook Make Glow in the Dark Play-doh:

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

1 tablespoon oil

1 cup boiling water

Food coloring

1 teaspoon cosmetic-grade glow in the dark pigments

How do you make Glow in the Dark Playdough?

In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. 

what ingredients do you need to make glow in the dark playdough?
what ingredients do you need to make glow in the dark playdough?

Combine the oil with the boiling water. Stir the oily water into the dry ingredients. Mix well.

mixing glow in the dark pigment to make playdough

Remove the dough and knead until it is no longer sticky. Divide into equal parts with one part for each color.

kneeding playdough ingredients
making homemade playdough recipe

Indent each portion of dough to create a small hole. Add drops of food coloring and glow-in-the-dark pigments to each portion.

making homemade playdough recipe adding dye to playdough
making homemade playdough recipe adding dye to playdough
blue playdough recipe purple playdoh recipe

Using Playdough Tools

Using different playdough tools requires children to use their hands and fingers in a precise and coordinated manner, which can help develop fine motor skills. Here are some of the best play doh tools to add to encourage children to explore their creativity and imagination by creating different shapes, textures, and designs.

Can you add glitter to Playdough?

Yes! Do you want to give your glow-in-the-dark playdough some extra sparkle and shine?

You can do so by adding glitters!

You can add as much glitter as you like to the dough and knead it until the glitter is evenly distributed.

Note: You can use any type of glitter you like, such as fine glitter or chunky glitter. Just keep in mind that the more glitter you add, the messier the playdough may become. But it’s worth it for the extra sparkle and fun factor!

glowing playdough

Congratulations! You have just created your very own homemade glowing playdough.

Now, it’s time to have fun!

playdough make and cut out shapes perfect for preschool

More Fun Playdough Ideas for Kids:

16 Playdough Mats Shapes Printables for Preschoolers

How to Make a Playdough Volcano

Edible Playdoh Shaped Like Mickey Mouse

Lemon Playdough Recipe

How to Make Crayon Play-doh

Camping Playdough Mats for Preschoolers

Playdough Mat Fun for Preschoolers

Homemade Jello Playdough Recipe

playdough make and cut out shapes perfect for preschool

Here are some fun creative ideas you can make:

  • Roll out some glow-in-the-dark spaghetti to make cute glow-in-the-dark necklaces for the whole family.
  • You may make a star or a moon shape that glows in the dark!
  • Create a luminous artwork or sculpture.
glowing in the dark playdough recipe

This no-cook glow-in-the-dark playdough recipe is perfect for kids who love playing with their food. This recipe allows you to create a sensory experience for your kids. Not only will they enjoy playing with the playdough during the day but they will also love seeing it light up in the dark. So go ahead, give this recipe a try, and watch your kids’ faces light up with excitement!

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