Homemade play dough is one of my favorite things to make and mold with the kids in the summer. I’m not sure why, but making play dough has always been a summer activity in our family. Even when I was a child, I remember making play dough in the summer time, now I know my mom did it to help pass the time, get us away from the TV, allow us to use our imagination, and give us something fun to do.
I was thinking the other day how quickly time passes us by, how warm it’s been getting the past few days, and looking at everything starting to bloom. It’s almost summer, and that means that school’s almost our for summer break. It’s important to have some activities and crafts lined up so the kids do not get bored, and even more important mom doesn’t deal with the stress of board kids. Crafts are a fun way to keep your children busy, out of in front of the TV, and enjoy quality time with them.
There’s nothing better than quality time with the kids. You know, good quality time. Without any fighting, kicking, biting, or breathing on one another, lol. Yes, breathing on me. Oh, please tell me your kids have done it too. Once my children get to arguing, everything bugs them. I actually heard my 8-year-old tattle tale on my toddler for breathing on her. “Mom, MOM, MOMMMMMMM, Mattie won’t stop breathing on me.” OMG seriously kid, at this point I wanted to grab their heads and bonk them together. Not hard, but just to knock some darn sense into them. Who gets made for something breathing? I would understand if she was coughing or something…. NOT just breathing.
Darn kids, which is the reason I want to keep them busy this summer. I live in southern New Mexico, its hot. I cannot sent the kids outside to play, it’s too darn hot. So I have been cooking up some indoor fun active for them.
One thing I want to do with my children is make some play dough. My toddler eats it, so it’s important that I make something that’s edible. She’s 2, I can tell her not to eat it and she might listen for about 3 seconds. Then it’s straight to the mouth. Making our own play dough is not only the more fun option, but the safer option as well. There’s several homemade play dough recipes out there, but here’s two fun ways to make homemade play dough for your children.
Scented Play Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ Cups of flour
- ½ cup salt
- Kool-Aid Packages (your choice of colors don’t use lemonade)
- 2 cups of water
- 3 table spoons of vegetable oil
Directions
- Bring water to a boil. While water is warming mix flour, salt and 1 package of Kool-Aid in a medium-sized bowl.
- Now add boiling water and vegetable oil to your Kool-Aid mixture, and mix well. Allow to cool, and have fun.
- You can also use food coloring in place of the Kool-Aid, I like to use Kool-Aid because it makes the play dough smell great, and taste yucky, lol. My toddler will not eat it if I make it with Kool-Aid.
Basic Play Dough Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 cup salt
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- Food coloring
Directions
- Mix all everything together until everything is completely combined.
- Cook over low heat, stir using a wooden spoon for about three minutes, or until the play dough becomes a thicker consistency and the stickiness goes away.
- Knead play dough for several minutes or until it become smooth.
- Next you can have some fun, make the play dough any color you want. Grab some food coloring and have some fun. The possibilities are endless, loads of fun, and if you’re toddler eats a little not to worry.
- You can store this play dough for about two days in airtight container. Does not require refrigeration, and the best part it’s not toxic.
Have you every made your own homemade play dough for the kids, or even for yourself. I love play dough it’s so much fun and such a wonderful way to spend time with your children. It’s always a good idea to keep a good eye on the kids while they make fun things using play dough. I know I said it was non-toxic, but it can still cause a nice mess smashed into your carpet or on your furniture
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As I child I liked play dough and this brings back good memories!
My little granddaughter just discovered play dough and they are expensive for me as I am on a tight budget. Thank you for sharing this recipes that I can make and let my granddaughter play to her heart’s content!
We make the second recipe from time to tim,e. I would be afraid that the koolaid would stain everyghing.
I agree on PlayDoh being expensive!! I personally hate the stuff but my granddaughter loves it so thanks for the recipes, I will be using them!!
I used to love Play-doh. Except for the clean up. That stuff is hard to get out carpet. I read that there is a fragrance that kind of smells like Play-doh called Child. I haven’t been able to find it anywhere.
I love homemade playdoh SO much more than the kind you buy in the store. It starts with the smell. The smell of the store bought playdough is icky, but the homemade stuff is just milder, better. I added a couple drops of lilac oil to mine when I made it for my foster kids. You should try that. I love the feel of playdough too. There is something satisfying about it and squishing it through your fingers.
I love homemade play dough. Plus gak, made with cornstarch and water. A little food coloring, and it’s so pretty.
My youngest child had so much fun with this homemade play dough.
We love making our own playdough – it’s so much greener – no plastic packaging!
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I love that this method uses Koolaid packets! Does the grape make the playdoh smell like grape though?
This is so cool. I would’ve loved to make this as a kid. I don’t have kids so might seem silly to make it now.
Thank you for sharing this recipe I am gone to make it with my grandson. sounds easy to do.
Thanks! This will save me tons of money. My nephew lives with me and he loves to play with play dough but its constantly getting ruined or left out. So now I can just make it..
Wonderful recipes! I have been looking for some! Thank you! I know what my daughter & I will be making on spring break!
I’m excited! Definitely making this with my nephew next time he is over
Great fun for the weekend, can’t wait to do this with my son.
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What a fun idea to keep all the kids busy after the Easter Egg Hunt! Set up a table up and let them have at it! Best of all, it is inexpensive ti make and I can just grab up the corners of the plastic tablecloth and toss! Love it!
I love this! I think this is a great craft for Easter. Definitely going to try this with the kiddos this week!
it’s been years since I made play dough so this will be so much fun to do with my 4 year old grandson. thanks for the great idea! happy easter!