Any Way to save Dry Play-dough?

For what it's worth, playdough is usually on a really good sale the day after thanksgiving. One of the really big packs of it. I know that doesn't help now, but I buy one and then ration it out, not letting my kids open every tube at a time (although they think I should let them).
I used to make a peanut butter playdough when I worked at a day care. Kids loved it, plus it was edible. (only worked when we had no peanut allergies in the class.) It doesn't really last, but is fun while they use/eat it.

Best Cooked Play Dough

Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon oil, food coloring.

For group settings double the recipe.

Combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a saucepan. Mix liquids and gradually stir them into dry ingredients. When mixture is smooth, cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from heat and knead until smooth. Can use unsweetened Kool-Aid instead of food coloring. The Kool-Aid will color it and make it smell great.

Purple and orange are fantastic.

This is a very pliable and long-lasting play dough, with a more elastic consistency than uncooked play dough.

Note: This is something a little extra for playdough to encourage/develop sensory awareness. Once you have made playdough, whilst kneading it to a smooth/soft finish, drop in a few drops of essential oil. (eg/ lavender oil added to purple playdo). Another fun option is add glitter to the playdough. Sprinkle a little at a time whilst kneading it 'till you reach the desired affect. This looks particularly good with black playdough. Contributed By: R . EDWARDS

I'm always adding water. I don't' kneed it, just let it set for a time. Not sure if you can salvage brick hard play dough but if its just a little tough, a tsp or so of water will do the trick.

As for the slime, it needs to set overnight, then work the moisture through next time you open it to play. Slimy sounds like you added too much water or tried to work with it too soon after adding the water. let it soak in.

I wrap them in damp paper towel for a couple of hours. Make sure to take them out before the paper towel dries up. They get soft as new! :)

Toss the crumbles away, MAKE her play dough. Here are some recipes to get you started:

For Cooked, Kool-Aid, and Salt recipes:
http://fun.familyeducation.com/sculpting/recipes/37040.html
For Baked Uncooked, Oatmeal, and Peanut Butter Recipes:
http://fun.familyeducation.com/sculpting/recipes/37040.ht...

GLITTER Play Dough:
1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 TBS vegetable oil
2 tsp cream of tartar
food coloring
glitter

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together except for the glitter. Heat over medium heat until dough forms a ball, stir constantly. Remove from heat and add glitter (you decide how much.) Knead well until lumps are gone and dough is smooth. Store in an airtight container, but do not refrigerate.

JELL-O Play Dough
1 (3-oz.) package sugar-free jello
2 cups flour
2 cups boiling water
1 cup salt
4 TBS cream of tartar
2 TBS oil
Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients in a saucepan then add the oil and the boiling water. Stir continuously over medium heat until dough forms into a ball. Remove from heat, knead. Store in an airtight container.
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*Tips:
If playdough is too sticky, just knead in more flour.
Always store in an airtight container or plastic bag.
Refrigerate until needed, unless noted otherwise.

*Many of the recipes have high salt content, please keep away from pets.

I too would then make my own play dough. You can add koolaid for "scented" playdough if you want!

Try the moon dough. It is much softer and never dries out. It is also easier to clean up if it gets on the carpet, it is not as sticky as play dough.

When adding water to dried out playdough, I agree with Jane that you have to let it sit. Kind of like cooking dried noodles longer if you want it soft all the way through instead of al dente. I would put any totally dried crumbs in a watertight container, add a teaspoon of water, and let it sit for a day or two. Maybe shake the container occasionally.

I never follow an exact recipe for salt dough and it still turns out fine. A scoop of flour. A much smaller scoop of salt. Add a little bit of water to the center and start mixing it in. If it's too dry, add more water a little at a time. If all the flour's worked in and it's still too sticky, add more flour. Knead in drops of food coloring until it looks right.