Make Blinged Up Playdough

This post shares a play-dough recipe unlike no other. That’s because it features some simple ingredients that you can add to bling it up!

Play-dough is one of the all-time-greatest toddler activities to have been invented. It can also be a wonderful kid’s art activity because it is:

• Easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry

• A fun sensory-based activity that kids can do at home

• Something you can keep re-using for months (if you store it correctly)

Age range: 1 year + but also fun for adults!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Above: Turmeric and Matcha flavored play-dough

Ingredients

Before making your dough, think about what ingredients you would like to add to bling it up! These additional bits help to make kids play a sensory experience by incorporating different smells, textures and colors. Things you can add are:

• Essential oils. These are lovely for adding scents to your play-dough! I used lavender and rose in my play-dough.

• Artificial food dye bought from the store

• Natural food colors including:

  • Yellow – Turmeric or curry powder (1/2 tsp)

  • Brown – Coffee grounds (1/4 cup) or cocoa powder (1 TBS)

  • Green – Matcha or spirulina powder (1/2 -1 TBS)

  • Blue – 3 TBS red cabbage juice + 1/2 two baking powder. Use 3 TBS less hot water if using this option.

• You can also add glitter to play-dough to bling it up. However if you are doing this, please try and source an eco-friendly glitter that won’t destroy the environment.

Okay, now it is time to make your dough! Pick one of the recipes below.

Play-dough recipe 1: 'No Cook'

My first recipe is taken from The Montessori Notebook. I love it because it is a no-cook method so you don’t have to use a hot plate! Kids can also help to measure and stir the ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour

• 2 TBS cream of tartar

• 1/2 cup salt

• 3/4 cup boiling water

• 1 TBS cooking oil

• Food coloring (artificial or natural, see the list above for inspiration)

Equipment

• Mixing bowl

• Measuring cups

Instructions

• Mix the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl

• Add the boiling water, food coloring and oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until it pulls away from the edges of the bowl and forms a large clump.

• Leave the mixture to cool for a few minutes then knead it until it’s smooth. Add 3-4 drips of essential oils (if using) while kneading.

Play-dough recipe 2: 'No Cream of Tar-tar'

My first recipe is taken from The Montessori Notebook. I love it because it is a no-cook method so you don’t have to use a hot plate! Kids can also help to measure and stir the ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour ⠀

• 1/4 cup salt⠀

• 3/4 cup of water ⠀

• 3 TBS of lemon juice or white vinegar ⠀

• 1 TBS oil (any will do but coconut oil is divine)⠀

  
  

Equipment

• Mixing bowl⠀

• Wooden spoon⠀

• Pot⠀

• Measuring spoons/cups

• Baking paper (useful but not essential)⠀

Instructions

• Mix dry ingredients in the mixing bowl – kids could give you a hand!⠀

• Add the water, oil, lemon juice and food coloring into the pot (pictured below). Mix while bringing the mixture to a simmer.

• Remove from heat and keep stirring until the mixture forms a large clump.

• Place the clump on a piece of baking paper or a plate to cool⠀

• Knead until the play-dough is smooth and doesn’t have any lumps. Add 3-4 drips of essential oils (if using) while kneading.

Find some fun tools and objects

Once you have your play-dough ready, you can then find some bits and pieces from around the house that kids can use to play with it.

The obvious choices are cookie-cutters and rolling pins; however if you don’t have these, or want to try something new, I highly recommend looking around the house for some more creative tools and objects. These could include:

• Lids

• Gemstones

• Toothpicks (great for creating 3D sculptures with play-dough)

• A butter knife

• Buttons

• Small plastic containers

• Natural materials such as stones, bark, leaves and flowers.

I would recommend introducing these different materials gradually over a period of time instead of putting them all out at once.

Store in an air-tight container or in cling wrap. The play dough should keep for a few months. If it does start to feel dry, put a couple of water drops on it and knead through. Happy making!

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