Add all dry ingredients to a medium saucepan and mix well. Next add wet ingredients.

Cook over medium/ low heat, stirring continuously. It will start to bubble.

If you're only making one color, add the color and essential oil now.

The mixture should thicken and start to form a large dough ball, and may collect in a large ball on the spatula. The dough should be heated until it is no longer super sticky, but not so long that it dries out.

If multiple colors will be used, cook the playdough and then carefully divide the cooked playdough into separate portions (allow it to cool before handling.) Add 5 drops or more of gel food coloring to each portion of the dough (and 5 drops of essential oil or other mix ins.) Mix well.

Note - adding the playdough portion, food coloring, and mix ins to a plastic baggie and squishing it around to evenly distribute color is a great way to avoid the color staining hands.

Set aside on a plate or piece of parchment paper to cool in the refrigerator for an hour.

Once cooled completely, store in a ziplock bag. It no longer needs to be refrigerated, but does need to be kept in a sealed bag or air-tight container to keep from drying out.