Experimental and Crazy Concocting

11 Magic Potions That Kids Will Love

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Part classic science experiment, part Harry Potter, the following concoctions are safe for kids and totally fun to mix up. From fizzing and foaming to bubbling and bewitching, these magic potions for kids can be whipped up in no time. Looking for even more spooky fun? Try your hand at some Halloween crafts, tell kid-friendly ghost stories, and read these witch books that are only a little bit wicked!

Love Potion Lava Lamp

Agnes Hsu via Hello, Wonderful

Part love potion, part lava lamp, we're crushing on this concoction from Agnes at Hello, Wonderful. Using simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry, you can whip up your version in no time. 

Fizzy Fairy Potion

Anna Ranson via The Imagination Tree

Little fairies will love this fizzy potion that sparkles too! We love that you only need five basic ingredients and, of course, a wand for stirring. Get all the details from Anna over The Imagination Tree.

Related: 6 Glow-in-the-Dark Science Experiments to Try Tonight

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Mad Scientist Potion

Mama.Papa.Bubba

This simple outdoor session is just lots of good (not so) clean fun. Find out what mama Jen used to set it all up over at Mama.Papa.Bubba

Witches Brew

Upstate Ramblings

White clouds of witches brew make these colorful drinks other-worldly. Dry ice is the key to this cool effect (with parent supervision, of course); hot water and soap can thicken the spell. Bubble over to Upstate Ramblings for the tutorial.

Related: 20 Sidewalk Science Projects to Try Outside Today

DIY Lava Lamp

Hands on as We Grow

A little more effervescent than the lava lamp of the '60s, this potion made from oil, water, and Alka-Seltzer will get your kiddos all bubbly. These elixirs are easy-to-do and exciting to watch. Jamie from Hand On As We Grow has the instructions.

Rainbow Potion

Little Bins for Little Hands

Sweet and colorful, this sugary brew makes the gradient with sugar, water, food coloring, jars and a dropper. Your little wizard will be amazed at these layers. Pop-on over to Little Bins for Little Hands for the directions.

Related: Mason Jar Science: Slimy, Squishy, Super-Cool Experiments

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Glow-in-the-Dark Potion

Ana Dziengeli via Babble Dabble Do

Just glow with it. Potion-masters-in-training will need a little help from parents on this one, but the effort is worth the glow-in-the-dark effect. Ana Dziengel at Babble Dabble Do mixed corn syrup, baby oil, and water with a few "magic" ingredients for a luminous potion that doubles as a science experiment. 

Glittering Galaxies

Trisha Hass via MomDot

Easy to make with minimal mess, little mix-masters can craft their own swirling nebulas with a mason jar, cotton, water, glitter and paint. You can thank Trisha over at MomDot for this mystical potion that just might get your little magician calm for her afternoon nap. 

Wiggly Worm Brew

Thomas Brogan via Des Moines Parent

This magic brew is a little on the messy side (be sure to find the right spot before getting started), but it's hands-on slimy slithering fun. Head on over to Des Moines Parent, to get the how-to for coloring the spaghetti, then mixing in cornstarch, baking soda, salt and water. The last step is to watch with your little wizards to see what happens next!

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Related: 10 Science Experiments You Can Do at the Beach

Have a Potion Party

Bar Rucci via Art Bar

Potion-making is as easy as mix, whisk, color and create! Have your little wizards gather half-bottles of household items like shaving cream, and shampoo, then add spice and dabble-e-doo! You’ve got a magic potion party. This fanciful fest was the inspiration of Bar Rucci over at ArtBar. 

Garden Soup

Jackie Currie via Happy Hooligans

Is there anything more natural than kids whipping up a little garden-centric potion on a warm, sunny day? Probably not, which is why we love the setup from Jackie over at Happy Hooligans. With just a few ingredients, your kids can get their dose of outdoor play in a cool setting. 

• Try mud body painting.

• Learn about mud with this dirt experiment.

• Make slime from mud.

• Keep kids busy with muddy cars and trucks.

• Draw in mud.

• Delight tiny taste buds with this recipe for mud.

MORE ides for KIDS:

Baby Steps-
Playtime Science

Even babies and toddlers learn science in the kitchen through sensory exploration (like oobleck), observing physical changes (melting ice, rising dough), simple chemistry (baking soda & vinegar), and exploring concepts like density (oil & water), states of matter, and cause-and-effect, all while developing math, language, and motor skills through activities like mixing, pouring, and tasting, making abstract science tangible and fun.

This video shows some fun kitchen science experiments:

Channel 9YouTube • Dec 18, 2025

Chemistry & Physics

• Baking Soda & Vinegar: Creates fizzing carbon dioxide gas (a chemical reaction).

• Oobleck: Cornstarch and water make a non-Newtonian fluid (solid/liquid mix).

• Oil & Water: Oil floats on water due to density differences (doesn't mix).

• Melting/Freezing: Ice cubes demonstrate solid to liquid to gas states.

• Bouncing Egg: Soaking an egg in vinegar dissolves the shell, making it rubbery. 

Biology & Life Science

• Plant Growth: Growing herbs shows how plants need water and sun.

• Yeast: Watching yeast make bread dough rise demonstrates living organisms creating gas.

• Food Parts: Cracking an egg to see the yolk, white, and membrane.

• Taste Tests: Exploring sweet, sour, salty flavors teaches sensory perception. 

Math & Measurement (STEAM)

• Measuring: Using cups and spoons for fractions (doubling/halving recipes).

• Counting: Counting ingredients or scoops.

• Sorting: Sorting foods by color, shape, or type (food safety). 

Engineering & Problem Solving

• Building: Creating structures with pasta and marshmallows.

• Challenges: Pulling a tablecloth without knocking things over (tablecloth trick).

• Prediction: Guessing what will happen when ingredients mix or food cooks. 

How to Do It

• Involve senses: Let them touch, smell, see, and taste.

• Ask questions: "What do you think will happen next?".

• Embrace mess: Use bowls, spoons, droppers for exploration.

• Keep it simple: Use everyday items like spices, fruits, and dairy. 

• Teaching Math and Science in the Kitchen: 24 IdeasJun 17, 2024 — Plant a window herb garden. Let children tend to the plants as they grow and prepare the recipe when they are used. Melt and boil ...

How to Turn Your Kitchen into a Science Lab

By reimagining the kitchen as a dynamic STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) laboratory, parents and educators can ignite a passion for discovery in young minds.

Kitchen Science Experiments

Here are some exciting kitchen science experiments you can try:

Science has always been one of my favorite things to introduce to young children.  I especially love activities that require very few supplies and provide oodles of opportunity for hands on learning.  Here are some of my favorites using materials that may already be in your kitchen.  The best part of playtime science is there’s no such thing as a mistake, only a new way to experiment!

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Give a child some baking soda and vinegar and they’ll be entertained for a good long while!  We go through these in bulk at preschool and have found Costco to be the least expensive for gallon size vinegar and Amazon to have the best prices for bulk baking soda.  You can add clay or sand to make volcanos, put it in your jack-o-lantern to create a spooky Halloween surprise, use spoons, funnels, eye droppers, or bowls, and even try adding a bit off food coloring or dish soap.  If you prefer a less messy approach, have your child do their experiment in an empty bathtub and then use the leftovers to clean when they are finished.  In addition to a fun carbon dioxide reaction, baking soda and vinegar are great for cleaning!

Cornstarch and Water

Cornstarch and water make a fantastic sensory experience!  My favorite way to use this mixture is to put the cornstarch on a cookie tray and then give the child a small cup or spray bottle filled with water.  As they add water to the cornstarch and mix it with their fingers, it will turn into something new that is not quite liquid, and not quite solid. You can save this for a few days in a zip lock bag, but when you are ready to toss it, make sure it goes in the trash and not down the drain!

Runaway Colors

Pour a bit of milk onto a plate so the bottom is covered.  Place a few drops of various food coloring in the middle of the milk so the colors are close together.  Using a clean toothpick, touch the center of the milk.  Does anything happen?  Next dip a toothpick into some dish soap and touch the middle of the milk.  Watch the colors run!  The soap lowers the surface tension and reacts with the proteins in the milk, which sets them into motion.  

Playdough

Homemade playdough is simple to make and feels fantastic.  To make a small batch, mix 3 cups of flour, 1.5 cups of salt, 3 cups of water, 5 tablespoons of oil, and 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar in a large pan over the stove.  Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms.  Take the dough out of the pan and knead well on the counter.  When cooled, store in a sealed bag.  Add spices, extracts, or oils for scented playdough. 

Homemade Face Paint

I learned this recipe from one of our teachers and I have loved it ever since!  (Thanks Viki!).  Combine ¼ a cup of lotion, ¼ a cup of water, ¼ a cup of cornstarch, and a few drops of food coloring.  Stir together, add brushes and a mirror, and paint away!

Like with all activities, children should be supervised, and parents should only use ingredients that they have determined are safe and appropriate for their family.  Happy experimenting! 

Heatless Lava Lamps

Materials Needed:
Cooking oil, water, food coloring, fizzing heartburn relief tablet.

• Instructions: Fill a clear container about two-thirds full with cooking oil. Mix food coloring with water and add it to the container. Allow the oil and water to separate. Drop in a fizzing tablet and watch as carbon dioxide bubbles rise through the oil, creating a lava lamp effect.

Gravity-Defying Slime

Materials Needed:
Water, white glue, food coloring, borax (or a non-borax alternative).Instructions: Combine the ingredients to make slime. Use a solid tube to twist the center of the slime slowly, causing it to rise up the sides of the tube, demonstrating the properties of non-Newtonian fluids.

Milky Fireworks

• Materials Needed:
  Milk, food coloring, dish soap, shallow dish.

• Instructions: Pour milk into a dish and add drops of food coloring. Dip a cotton swab in dish soap and touch it to the center of the milk. The soap will react with the fat in the milk, causing the colors to explode outward, resembling fireworks.

Walking Water

• Materials Needed:
  Clear cups, paper towels, food coloring, water.

• Instructions: Arrange cups filled with water and add food coloring to some. Connect the cups with strips of paper towel and watch as the colored water "walks" through the towels, demonstrating capillary action.

Crystal Growth

• Materials Needed: Table salt, water, string, pencil, bowl.

• Instructions: Dissolve salt in boiling water until no more can dissolve. Suspend a string tied to a pencil in the solution and let it sit undisturbed for a week to observe crystal formation.

Sound Exploration with a Water Xylophone

• Materials Needed: Glass jars, water, metal spoon, food coloring (optional)

• .Instructions: Fill jars with varying levels of water and tap them with a spoon to create different pitches. Discuss how the amount of water affects the sound produced.

Bouncy Egg Experiment

• Materials Needed: Raw egg, vinegar.I

• nstructions: Submerge a raw egg in vinegar for 24-48 hours. The vinegar will dissolve the eggshell, leaving a bouncy, rubbery egg that can be gently bounced.

Hands-on Learning

Here are some key benefits of hands-on learning in the kitchen:

• Active Engagement: Children learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process. Hands-on experiments allow them to manipulate materials, observe outcomes, and draw conclusions based on their experiences, making the learning process more memorable.

• Critical Thinking: Engaging in experiments encourages children to ask questions, hypothesize, and analyze results. This #nurtures their critical thinking skills as they learn to solve problems and think independently, preparing them for future challenges.

• Collaboration: Working together on kitchen experiments fosters teamwork and communication skills. Parents and children can collaborate, share ideas, and learn from each other, creating a supportive learning environment that enhances social skills.

• Creativity: Hands-on learning allows for creativity and innovation. Children can experiment with different variables, leading to unique outcomes and encouraging them to think outside the box, which is essential for scientific inquiry.

• Real-World Connections: By conducting experiments in the kitchen, children can see the relevance of science in everyday life. This connection helps them understand the practical applications of what they learn in school, making science more relatable and exciting.

To get started with hands-on learning in your kitchen, consider these fun experiments:

• Heatless Lava Lamps: Explore density and chemical reactions by creating a lava lamp using oil, water, food coloring, and a fizzing tablet. This experiment visually demonstrates how different substances interact.

• Gravity-Defying Slime: Make slime and observe its non-Newtonian properties as it seemingly defies gravity when twisted in a tube. This activity not only entertains but also introduces concepts of viscosity and material properties.

• Milky Fireworks: Witness a colorful explosion by combining milk, food coloring, and dish soap, demonstrating the interaction between soap and fat molecules. This experiment is a fantastic way to visualize chemical reactions in a #safe and fun manner.

Creative Exploration

The kitchen, often seen merely as a cooking area, can be an exciting STEAM playground where children can explore scientific concepts through engaging, hands-on activities. By utilizing everyday items and encouraging creative exploration, children can #develop critical thinking skills and cultivate a lifelong love for learning.

To enhance creative exploration in your kitchen, consider the following ideas:

• Experiment with Ingredients: Use common kitchen ingredients to conduct simple yet captivating experiments. For example, mixing baking soda and vinegar creates a dramatic chemical reaction, while exploring the properties of different liquids can teach children about density and buoyancy.

• Cooking as Chemistry: Involve children in the cooking process to illustrate essential scientific principles. Discuss how #heat changes the state of food, the role of yeast in baking, or the science behind emulsification in salad dressings. This approach not only makes cooking enjoyable but also educational.

• Nature and Science: Incorporate natural elements by using fruits and vegetables for both art projects and experiments. For instance, cabbage juice can act as a pH indicator, allowing children to visually explore concepts of acidity and alkalinity.

• Measurement and Math: Use cooking measurements to teach #mathematical concepts such as fractions and conversions. Encourage children to double or halve recipes, which helps them understand ratios and proportions in a practical context.

• Creative Challenges: Set up engaging challenges that require problem-solving skills, such as building structures with pasta and #marshmallows or creating a #homemade volcano. These activities promote teamwork and enhance critical thinking and creativity.

• Documenting Discoveries: Encourage children to keep a science journal where they can document their experiments, observations, and conclusions. This practice not only improves writing skills but also reinforces the scientific method, making the learning process more structured and reflective.

More Kitchen Chemistry

Throw the ultimate glow-in-the-dark party  for kids with these super fun ideas! When my girls were tiny tots we threw a blacklight themed play party, and it was so much fun!  The images from that time were so poor that I have updated them and the post to also include my favorite glowing party ideas from others.  This makes it an even better resource for epic glowing fun!

Glow-in-the-Dark Party Ideas for Kids

• Make glow stick balloons.

• Play Glow-Toss.

• Make your own glow-in-the-dark bowling game.

• Wow kids with glow-in-the-dark play dough.

• Play a game of glowing hop scotch.

• Make kids bath water glow.

• Fill the swimming pool with glow sticks.

• Cool kids off with glow-in-the-dark water balloons.

• Make glow-in-the-dark chalk.

• Play a game of glow tic-tac-toe.

• Make your kids hair glow.

• Add glow sticks to the bathtub.

• Make bouncy balls that glow.

• Make glow-in-the-dark cupcakes.

• Make water that glows!

• Wow kids with glow-in-the-dark jello.

• Set up a glowing party table.

• Make glow-in-the-dark rainbow rice.

• Make glowing snow paint.

• Serve drinks that glow.

• Make your own party lights by attaching glow sticks to the ceiling fan.

• Play glow-in-the-dark twister.

• Make water beads that glow!  Fill a pool with them for even more fun!

• Send kids on a glowing Easter egg hunt.

• Try glow-in-the-dark egg dyeing.

• Welcome people to the party with glow sticks.

• Serve glowing cotton candy.

• Make a lava lamp in-a-bag.

• Make glow-in-the-dark slime.

• Make magic fairy jars.

• Wow kids with glowing bubbles.

• Make glow FLOAM.

• Wear glowing sunglasses.

• Surprise kids with glowing shaving cream.

• Make a carnival game that glows.

• Serve up some glowing punch.

• Use uv-reactive balloons to make a glowing ball pit.

• Make glowing goop.  Make it in a play pool for even more fun.

Make an entire party that glows-in-the-dark!

• For lots of ideas on what to buy that glows be sure to check out this collection of glowing party ideas.

For a list of things that glow 
check out this glow essentials guide.

Play Dough Concoctions

   Creative Playdough Combinations

We LOVE play dough! As evidences by these ideas and these play dough recipes post we’ve been already sharing with you. The beauty of open-ended manipulatives such as playdough is that they’re only limited to the imagination of the child. The endless opportunities to use knives, scissors, rollers, and stamps to develop those critical fine motor skills are all available when playdough is used. In our house, we offer loose parts and tools, none of which are hard to access in your home.

Hope’s first experience with playdough wasn’t even playdough. It was cookie dough.

After her first experience, if I was baking and it looked squishy, she wanted some to squeeze.
They really do not know the difference between art supplies and supplies that you already have.
So, just use what you have handy.

She tasted the cookie dough and giggled and just squeezed it. I showed her how to pat it and use a small metal star cookie cutter. When I was done, she got the cookie dough and squeezed it. Then she tried slapping the dough which was an easy motion since she was little. She actually threw the cookie cutter and went back to squeezing the play dough between her fingers. She loves watching it squeeze out in between her fingers.

Her wooden stamps were in the kitchen from painting. So, I thought about using them to make imprints. Hope loved that. The typical oohs and ahhs let me know she was interested in that process for at least a few minutes. Then the real fun began when I started to put cookie sprinkles of all sorts in the cookie dough. Oh what fun we had.

Her and I ended up making cookies with sprinkles and then we baked them. Of course, we decorated them. No one had an idea how much fun we had together with that dough. She had fun and I went shopping for some simple playdough tools. I already decided to use a peanut butter recipe from my YMCA days. I needed some mix in’s too.

Young children are more into a sensory experience
rather than a project.

They want to explore and discover on their own. So, step back, grab a camera, and just enjoy watching them. Play dough is so versatile. It is something your child can keep creating with as they grow.

So be careful to spread out purchasing supplies (Buy some each month so they have new things to use.) and rotate play dough tools. Don’t get them all at once.  

Hope had fun just trying to squeeze the playdough in different ways. So I put it in a Ziploc baggie and made like a PLAY DOUGH SENSORY BAG; 

If this is your first-time exploring play dough with your child, you may need to roll your sleeves up and just play! They may need you to model an example to follow on how to play with playdough. If so, then model options that are the most fun and within their abilities.

While children are busy squishing, smashing, squeezing, pushing, rolling, chopping, and poking, they are building strength in the little muscles in their fingers and hands. These same muscles are used for later skills such as cutting with scissors and holding a pencil with a pincer grasp.

Children are also learning hand-eye coordination as they use their hands to shape play dough. Each different way children shape play dough—pushing, pulling, squashing, squeezing, rolling, chopping, cutting—builds fine motor development in a different way.

If your child is already comfortable with play dough, then it’s time to have some fun with play dough by introducing silly sounds, engaging in pretend play, and encouraging exploration!

Playdough Recipes Perfectly Safe for Babies

Hawaiian Punch Playdough

Source

Okay, so maybe Hawaiian Punch isn’t exactly conducive to general health. But, at least it’s edible, right? Anyway, kids love color and this recipe does not fall short of colorful.

Get this edible playdough recipe here.

Marshmallow Playdough

Source

I would probably say that marshmallow playdough is one of the most moldable edible playdough yet. Marshmallows are already pretty stretchy to start with.

So, if your kid doesn’t eat your entire play dough supply, you’ll have a very usable supply of playdough for a while.

Enjoy learning this recipe here.

Ice Cream Playdough

Source

Flavored and colored with cake frosting, this ice cream themed edible play dough will be your kids’ favorite past time.

The fact that they can eat it makes it even more fun. Plus, there’s not melting mess to be cleaned up after!

Full recipe here!

Nutella Playdough

Source

This may look crumbly but trust me, it wouldn’t make a difference to your kids. They’ll still want to play the heck out of it. Nutella is an all-time fave so you can’t really go wrong with this flavor!

Check out the recipe here.

Cupcake Playdough

Source

This recipe is so easy to make you can do it with your kids. Who knows? It might spark an interest in baking.

Get the full recipe here.

Kool-Aid Playdough

Source

Kids love Kool-Aid. You know what that means, right? Yes, you are on the right track to creating the best edible play dough known to their world.

Get started here!

7. Birthday Cake Playdough

Source

Quite similar to the cupcake play dough and equally as fun! If the cake frosting flavoring doesn’t do it for your kid, the sprinkles surely will. Add some pretend candles and you have yourself quite a shindig!

See the full recipe here.

8. Ginger Bread Playdough

Source

Let your toddlers be in on the Christmas celebration! Get a load of this gingerbread-flavoured edible play dough!

Click here for the full recipe.

9. Peeps Playdough

Source

Yes, you can turn Peeps marshmallows into playdough! Who would have thought, right? Whoever came up with this idea is going places in life. Grab the recipe here!

10. Peppermint Playdough

Source

This has Christmas feels written all over it! It does not only taste good, it smells good too! Try making them in red and white to create a peppermint candy cane feel!

Recipe right

here

Cake Mix Playdough 
from Messy Little Monster: This playdough looks just like a funfetti cake mix, so it’s super fun to play baker with. The colorful sprinkles add to the fun, but they’re optional.

Safe in Older Children's Hands

Glittery Snow Playdough 
from Happiness is Homemade: When winter comes around, this glittery snow playdough is the next best thing to playing in the snow outside. That means it’s great if you live in an area that doesn’t typically get snow! The glittery dough makes a fun backdrop for your child’s arctic or woodland animal toys.

Chocolate Playdough 
from The Happy Home Life: This chocolate playdough is taste-safe and made with only 5-ingredients. Since it’s a no-cook recipe, it comes together very quickly. And who doesn’t like the smell of chocolate?

Frozen-Inspired Microwave Playdough 
from The Chaos and the Clutter: This Elsa-inspired playdough will encourage you to “Let It Go” and have some fun with the kids! Plus, making it in the microwave is way easier than cooking it up on the stove.

Moon Dough from STEAM-Powered Family: It’s silky smooth, easily moldable, and utterly irresistible to kids. It’s also taste-safe, so even toddlers can enjoy playing with this moon dough without worry.

Pink Princess Playdough from Crayons and Cravings: Girls will adore this pink, sparkly playdough. Though it is made with cake mix and frosting, the recipe is not taste-safe with regular glitter. Use edible glitter instead if you need a taste-safe recipe.

Sand Playdough 
from Natural Beach Living: You’ll feel total beach vibes when you make this cool sand playdough with the kids. Shape it into sandcastles and ocean animals.

Calming Lavender Scented Playdough 
from The Chaos and the Clutter: Lavender is a soothing scent, so it’s a perfect choice for a sensory outlet like this calming playdough for kids. They’ll enjoy the lovely fragrance as they squish and pull on the dough.

Edible Ice Cream Playdough 
from 123 Homeschool 4 Me: Kids will go crazy for this bright, colorful playdough recipe that can be shaped to look just like real ice cream. They can play Ice Cream Shop and practice their money counting skills at the same time.

Coffee Ground Playdough 
from Natural Beach Living: It looks like dirt, doesn’t it? This fun playdough is made with coffee grounds, so not only does it smell yummy, it’s perfect for playing with toy worms, bugs, spiders, and other creepy crawlies that you’d find in the dirt.

Strawberries and Cream Playdough 
from Glue Sticks & Gumdrops: Strawberry extract, vanilla extract, and edible glitter make this pink playdough an excellent choice for Valentine’s Day or spring.

Shaving Cream Playdough

Source

Make them in different colors so your kids can do a lot out of them. Apparently, shaving cream play dough is very smooth to the touch! Check out the recipe!

A 10-Minute Playdough

Source

Fun, colorful and quick to make! What else can you ask for? Your kids will enjoy making them as much as they would enjoy playing with them.

Grab the recipe here!

Galaxy Playdough

Source

Take a trip to the cosmic world of outer space through plain imagination! Trust me, this recipe will spark the space explorer in your child!

Find the recipe here!

You will find the children remain engaged with the activity for a lot longer and it will provide many opportunities for you to do a little intentional teaching while they are having fun.

Hope’s Favorite Easy Peanut Butter Playdough
½ Cup Peanut Butter, softened to room temperature
½ Cup Flour

Mix and fold untilingredients are smooth and doughy.
She could make it for herself at a very young age. It’s only 2 ingredients so I would often just put them in a Ziploc bag for her to mix when she was little. As she got older, she made it in a bowl. What child wouldn’t want to play with flour and peanut butter? Making it was half the fun!!!

Cooked Playdough

Materials
• 1 cup all‐purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 Tablespoon alum (found in spice aisle of grocery store)
• ½ cup salt
• 2 Tablespoons vanilla
• Food coloring

Directions:
1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a cooking pan.
2. Add oil and water to the dry ingredients.
3. Cook over medium heat on the stove, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes the consistency of mashed potatoes.
4. Remove from heat.
5. Add vanilla and food coloring.
6. Stir well.
7. Divide into balls and work in the color by kneading.
8. When not in use, keep playdough in a sealed zip‐ lock bag; it does not need to be refrigerated.

Playdough (not cooked)

Mix together in a bowl:

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup salt 4 teaspoons cream of tartar
Mix together and then add to the flour mixture:
2 Tablespoon’s vegetable oil
1 cup boiling water with LOTS of food coloring in it

Mix and knead until smooth. Let the children use as soon as the playdough is cool enough to handle. Store in an airtight container when not being used. Note: It is also fun to add extracts such as vanilla, lemon, orange, or peppermint so that the playdough smells really good.

Other Dough Recipes

Scented Dough

3 Cups Flour
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
2‐3 Drops Scent – liquid or powder (vanilla, peppermint, lemon, orange, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, etc.) 2‐3 Drops Food Coloring
½ Cup Water, determine amount as needed

1. Combine all ingredients, except water.
2. Gradually add water until dough is easily manipulated. 3. Stir until well mixed. Knead, if desired, to finish mixing all ingredients.
4. This is a soft, pasty dough that smells good.

Chocolate Oat Cookies turned Edible Play Dough 

• 2 cups sugar

• 4 tablespoons cocoa

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 cup peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon vanilla

• 2 1/2 cups oats

(COOKIE DOUGH USES 3 CUPS OATS)

Boil sugar, cocoa, butter and milk for 1 min. remove from heat. Add peanut butter, vanilla and oats and stir till mixed. Empty out on wax paper, roll and cut into squares or roll into balls when cool enough to handle.

My little one decided that this chocolate play dough looked like mud and as such he grabbed some cars to play “stuck in the mud” with. Because of the oiliness of the butter and peanut butter the play dough does not stick to the hands. We also got the opportunity to play with our spring garden printable from Pickle bums.

Have you made a choice which one you’re going to try first? The ingredients are very affordable so why don’t you give them all a try? 

Now, you don’t have to worry about your kids putting play dough in their mouths. Say hello to a worry-free play hour! Bring out the mixing bowls and get ready to get your hands dirty! Because you are guaranteed to have an afternoon of fun and laughter!

And if you’re looking for playdough to buy, we recommend Colorations playdough

We also highly recommend this playdough tool set!

Eco-Friendly Playdough Ingredients

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup of salt

• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar

• 1 cup of hot water

• 1.5 tablespoons of oil

• natural dye

• essential oils (optional)

Eco-Friendly Playdough Directions

1. Combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a saucepan.

2. Slowly stir in the water and oil.

3. Cook on stovetop medium heat, stirring constantly, until the dough begins to thicken.

4. Once the dough forms a ball, remove from heat.

5. When the dough is cool enough to touch, knead until it’s smooth.

6. Divide the dough into balls for how many colors you want to make.

7. Add a few drops of your homemade natural dye to each ball. If you don’t have enough time to make your own, this is a good natural dye to use.

8. Knead the dough again to mix in the color. You might want to use gloves to keep the dye from staining your skin.

9. If desired, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to give the homemade playdough some scent.

10. Store the dough in an airtight container or bag to help it stay fresh.

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Essential Oils and Homemade Playdough

The one thing I like about this playdough is that it doesn’t have a scent, which is great for kids who are sensitive to smells. It’s also good for young kids who tend to stick everything in their mouths. Plus, it means you can customize the dough to have any scent you want.

When you use essential oils to add a scent to the playdough, your children will be able to inhale the fragrance and reap its benefits every time they play with it.

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Since my son can get a little rowdy, my absolute favorite essential oil to use is lavender. Letting him play with this playdough right before bed is a great way to help him wind down and naturally fall asleep.

Here are a few other excellent essential oil combinations you can consider:

Peace and Calm

• 3 drops of orange

• 2 drops of lavender

• 1 drop of peppermint

Motivation

• 2 drops of rosemary

• 2 drops of peppermint

• 2 drops of lemon

Wake Up

• 3 drops of orange

• 3 drops of peppermint

Feel Better

• 3 drops of lavender

• 2 drops of lemon

• 2 drops of tea tree

Get Creative

• 2 drops of lavender

• 3 drops of lemon

• 2 drops of grapefruit

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