DIY Holiday Playdough: Simple, Festive, and Fun!

Making playdough is a great activity to do around the holidays with your kids! Check out two holiday-themed recipes below. 

Encourage your children to help measure and mix the ingredients. Make sure the adult uses the stove to heat the ingredients together. 

How long do these recipes take?

• 10-15 minutes each

Are they hard to make?

• The recipe is easy to follow, making it a great activity to do with your kids

What if my child puts some of it in their mouth?

• Each of these recipes uses ingredients that are safe to use when baking

What skills are used during this activity? 

• Fine Motor Skills: kneading, rolling, and squishing the playdough while making it and playing with it afterward.

• Cognitive Skills: problem-solving, following instructions, and some math concepts are utilized when making the playdough measuring the ingredients, and following the instructions to correctly make each recipe.

• Creativity and Imagination: engaging in pretend play after finishing the recipe.

• Social and Emotional Skills: Sharing and cooperation skills are practiced when made with siblings or parents. Playdough can also be used as a tool for self-regulation.

Gingerbread Man Playdough

This recipe is easy to make and uses common household ingredients. The great thing about this recipe is you can reuse the playdough once it's made - turns into endless fun!

Ingredients: 

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

1 cup water

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon oil

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon allspice

½ teaspoon ground cloves

Directions: 

1. In a saucepan, combine all dry ingredients and stir to mix.

2. Add water and oil, then stir well.

3. Place the pot over medium heat and stir constantly with a wooden spatula

4. After a few minutes, clumps will begin to form - keep stirring until the entire mixture comes together into a big ball.

5. Remove the dough from the pot onto a cutting board or other surface. 

6. Allow to cool - this can be done in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. 

7. Knead until fully blended. 

Create: 

Get creative! Make a gingerbread man using different items from your kitchen such as chocolate chips, marshmallows, and sprinkles!

Candy Cane Playdough

This recipe is easy to make and uses few ingredients. The great thing about this recipe is adding the scent of peppermint - brings the holiday spirit to life!

Ingredients: 

1 cup flour

⅓ cup salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 cup water

1 tablespoon oil

5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract

Directions: 

1. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a pot.

2. Add essential oil drops to selected oil and mix well.

3. Add the oils and water to the pot of dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. 

4. Cook over medium heat for about 4 minutes or until thickened and the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan starting to glob together.

5. Remove from the pan onto a cutting board.

6. Let the playdough cool - this can be done in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. 

7. Divide the dough in two.

8. Add red food coloring to one of the dough balls and mix.

Create: 

Make candy canes with your kids! You can make one giant one or a small one!

Pro tip: store playdough in a baggie or container after making it and playing with it each time to prevent it from drying out.