Each day we have been enjoying something off of Ethan’s summertime list. One of the things that he wanted to do was to make play dough so I found a really great recipe that I thought would work perfectly and keep our kitchen nice and cool. This recipe requires no cooking, which is a bonus on a hot summer day, and uses Kool-Aid mixes to make your colors.
I made a batch in each of the kid’s favorite colors and was suprised how quickly and easily this dough came together. In about five minutes, the dough was ready to go for little hands to enjoy.
Boy, did they enjoy this! I put out my biscuit cutter, plastic forks and knives, cookie cutters, and a giant rolling pin- all items courtesy of my kitchen! The kids played in this for over an hour and then I stored the batches in plastic containers.
This dough stays nice and soft and the smell is delicious… which is very confusing for a two year-old. Emily found out the hard way that it didn’t taste as good as it smelled, but it only took one taste to find that out.
Fruity Play Dough (courtesy of Recipezaar.com)
1 cup flour
1 package Kool-AidKool-Aid (any flavor)
1 package Kool-AidKool-Aid (any flavor)
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup salt
3/4 cup boiling water (the original recipe called for one cup of boiling water, but I found it made the dough too loose- aim for 3/4 cup and add more if needed)
1/4 cup salt
3/4 cup boiling water (the original recipe called for one cup of boiling water, but I found it made the dough too loose- aim for 3/4 cup and add more if needed)
Mix all dry ingredients in bowl then oil, then pour boiling water in and mix thoroughly. Wrap in cellophane or air tight container and store in fridge. The play dough should last a few months.
I am going to try this one. I like the idea of smell to this and kool aid is something us mom’s always have abundance of.
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This is in our concoction book. I have delayed this one because I am afraid of the stains on their hands from the kool-aid.
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Kristi- I wouldn’t use a spoon that would stain to mix this. I used a red silicone spatula, but I read that others had their spoons stain. Once the dough was mixed, it never stained. I have actually had more difficulties working with the food coloring and trying to get that incorporated then I did with these drink mixes. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!
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I love the idea of adding the kool-aid mix for coloring!
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What fun! I used to love making homemade playdough with my mom, but it never smelled as yummy as yours!
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Don’t you just love this? I made it regularly when my girls were small.
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OK-do they try to eat it because it smells good? I’ve always wondered about that.
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Emily was a bit confused at first, but now she just likes to sniff it, but doesn’t attempt eating it. I think they probably need to be old enough to understand and she will be three in December so she got it
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I can’t wait to try this. I have made my kids play dough using tempra paint for the coloring. I didn’t realize that I can’t stand the smell of tempra paint. I would rather pay full price for play dough than smell tempra paint. But your recipe sounds like it would solve that problem!
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What a great recipe! I’ve recently been discovering many uses for Kool-Aid, and none of them have been to drink. It’s good to see another fun one!
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Thank you so much for posting this recipe (and your experience)!!! We used a Kool-Aid play dough for VBS 8 years ago and I lost the recipe when we moved (didn’t have a need for it then of course). It does smell so good! I would highly recommend brand-name Kool-Aid, the generic I tried (one of each for VBS) didn’t have as nice of color or SMELL.
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We love this recipe! It makes the softest play dough.
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One of our favorite things to make. I love the way it smells!
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I used a homemade play dough (I think I used food coloring instead of Kool Aid) last summer, but my little boy just didn’t get the hang of it. I guess it still looked like food.
Now he’s two and a half and he begs to play Play Dough. He tried to eat it only once and the taste was bad enough that he hasn’t tried again. You’re right that this stuff with a few plastic kitchen tools provides hours of fun.
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Wow! That looks so cool. Such bright colors. Thanks for sharing how you made it!
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I wouldn’t think about the colors of generic versus the brand-name- good point, NeedaNap2!
This was made with the Great Value Wal-Mart brand and turned out really good. I might have to try the brand name stuff and see if there is a difference!
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Your colors look very bright (intense) compared to what I remember (it’s been 8 years!!). I just remember the Wyler’s (or something like that) that my husband thought would “work just fine” smelled terrible compared to the Kool-Aid ones. I’ll have to try this and see how the colors turn out then we might try the Great Value!!
Did you double the recipe and use 2 packages of kool-aid or did you split the recipe into 2 bowls and use 1 package in each?
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I doubled the recipe, but made it into two separate bowls (a color for each kid). I ran out of cream of tartar or I would have made more
Yes, the Great Value brand smelled great! I will have to remember that about the Wyler’s!
I hope that helps!!
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Can you tell me where to find the cream of tarter in the grocery store? I don’t even know what it looks like, the size of the packaging or what department to search. Thanks for the help. I’m clueless
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Heather-
Cream of tarter is over in the baking aisle next to the spices. It is a white powder that can be used in cookies too. I hope that helps!
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I’ve made this one before and it’s great! Lasts a long time too.
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I have tried this before but always used food coloring. I LOVE the kool aid idea. Then if they eat it, it tastes better. LOL!
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I can’t wait to try this. It’s been years since I’ve made homemade playdough. I think my two year old will love doing this.
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Can’t wait to try it with my son! A great summer project! We have made the homemade before with food coloring, this Kool-Aid looks even better! heather
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how fun I will definattly try this
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Hi, I hope I bought the right stuff…. you’re using the unsweetened/no sugar individual ‘packets’ of kool aid that are about 20 cents each…. is that right? It wasn’t until I was in the kool aid aisle that I realized I wasn’t sure which type you were using! Thanks! Laura
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I saw a recipe for edible playdough on Jon & Kate plus 8. Equal parts Peanut Butter, honey and powdered milk. She said she adds a little flour for consistency. Not as colorful but at least it tastes good. I haven’t tried it yet but it sounds easy. I want to try this kool-aid playdough too.
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I just wanted to say thanks for posting this recipe. My oldest, she’s 3, and I just made four different colors worth… I ran out of cream of tartar and salt or we would have made 2 more. She loves it, and I feel better about letting her little sisters play with this stuff too. They are almost 2 and I worry about them putting the other playdough in their mouths. She can’t wait for them to wake up from their nap so they can all play together! Thanks again, and I hope it is okay, I linked to this post on your blog from mine.
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made this today-huge hit! i subbed corn starch for the cream of tartar w/no problems…thanks!
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We make this today and it smells so good!
I plan to use up all the yucky flavors that the kids didn’t like to drink.
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Made this today when my 6 yr old got in from school. Though it smells great and is very soft, it took about an extra 3/4 cup flour to get the right consistency- I kneaded it in gradually for about 30 minutes. I only used 3/4 c of boiling water but it remained sticky until after adding in all the extra flour. The kid loved helping making it and was so excited when I presented him with my rolling pin, and many other kitchen utensils.
Thanks for posting!
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