My kids always enjoy playing with play dough, and this is an easy project you can do to have some fun this St. Patrick’s Day. I generally don’t like to use cream of tarter in my homemade play dough recipes (since I never seem to have it on hand, and I would rather save), so I picked a recipe that doesn’t require it. This is a nice sensory recipe since it has a scent and glitter added.
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
green food coloring (you can always use a natural food color)
mint extract / essential oil (optional)
green glitter (optional)
Directions
Mix the flour, salt, and a little bit of green food coloring in a pot.
You can also add a couple drops of peppermint. Although you may like a strong minty smell, keep in mind that kids may not want as strong of a scent. We ended up using 3 drops, and my daughter told me that it was too pepperminty, even though I thought the scent was weak.
Heat your ingredients over low heat, stirring thoroughly. You can add more green dye and peppermint as you go along, if desired.
Continue to stir over heat. The important thing is to keep mixing and heating until the play dough pulls away from the pot and forms a ball. If you remove it too early, it will be very sticky. I learned that the hard way!
Once your dough is ready, allow it to cool enough until it can be handled. Sprinkle with glitter and knead.
My kids love playing with play dough!
What a fun idea! I could see using different colors, scents, and other sensory objects for every day play with this. Thank you!
Great idea. At least it doesn’t have any toxic chemicals and it’s cheaper.
I love the idea of making homemade playdoh using natural ingredients and essential oils. I have to agree with your daughter that 3 drops is very strong unless it’s being diluted. I’ll have to make my son a batch.
I also love now foods essential oils. Peppermint is one of my favorite. I’ll put a few drops in my bath when I’m having a huge flare or add a drop or two to the running shower if my allergies are bothering me.
Nice idea! My kids missed playing playdough and I think this is the perfect time for them to make it. Thanks!
Play dough is definitely a fun idea for kids. My son loved play dough when he was little.
I will be making this with my kids! They love play dough!
I love making play dough. I haven’t made it in so long. I’ll have to make it again with my daughters. They love play dough.
My kid loves play dough too! It will be a lot of fun making this!
This is such an easy idea! I would love to make some for the kids.
I love homemade playdough and yet I’ve never used essential oils in it! Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!
I remember play doh! I grew up having fun with it. Does the homemade variety harden, like regular play doh, if you don’t put it in a sealed package?
Oh I bet this smells wonderful when the kids play with it. I like that the ingredients are all natural, too.
Play Doh is so fun to play with, and making your own adds another level to that fun! I super appreciated your tips about how much scene to add (or not), and to not be too eager to let the process finish.
Aaawwww…this is so lovely! Even the little me wouldn’t resist playing and kneading this dough! Thanks for making their St. Patrick so memorable.
Playing with dough is always fun. We also do this in the house. It’s a great way to make St. Patrick memorable.
This kind of activity enhances kids’ creativity. And of course, it promotes playtime which is important.