The BEST Homemade Jello Playdough Recipe for Kids to Make (2024)

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Looking for a creative and entertaining activity for your kids? Try our homemade Jello playdough recipe. It’s easy to make, non-toxic, and provides hours of sensory play.

If you’re searching for a hands-on activity that combines creativity and play, look no further than Jello playdough.

This tutorial will show you how to make play dough with simple ingredients found in your pantry, like a box of jello!

Making your own play dough recipe is not only safe and non-toxic but also offers a delightful sensory experience for children. With its soft texture and irresistible colors, Jello playdough provides endless possibilities for imaginative play.

When the weather isn’t ideal for outdoor play, making Jello playdough can be a fantastic indoor activity. It provides a hands-on experience that keeps children engaged and entertained, even on rainy days.

This Jello play dough recipe is perfect for sensory activities. As little hands squish, mold, and shape the dough, they engage their sense of touch, stimulating their fine motor skills and creativity.

Parents and preschool teachers will find that this recipe is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.

How to Make Jello Playdough

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons Jello powder (your choice of flavor)
  • 1 cup boiling water

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, salt, and Jello powder together.

Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the vegetable oil.

Gradually pour the hot water into the well and mix with a spoon until the ingredients come together. Pouring the water in slowly and mixing continuously will help you achieve the desired consistency without making the playdough too sticky or too dry.

Allow the playdough mixture to cool slightly, and then knead it with your hands until you achieve a smooth and pliable playdough consistency.

If the playdough is too sticky, add a small amount of extra flour and continue kneading until it reaches the desired texture.

Once the playdough is ready, you can divide it into smaller portions.

Have Fun with Add Ins and Colors

  • Jello playdough comes in a variety of flavors and colors. Feel free to mix and match different Jello flavors to create vibrant and scented playdough. You can also add food coloring or essential oils for additional color and scent variations.
  • Enhance the sensory experience by adding fun elements to the playdough. Consider incorporating glitter, confetti or sprinkles to make the playdough more visually appealing and engaging for children.

More Homemade Play dough Recipes:

How to Store Your Own Playdough

To extend the life of your Jello playdough, store it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag when not in use at room temperature.

If the playdough starts to dry out, add a few drops of vegetable oil and knead it back to its original consistency. To keep the colors vibrant, avoid exposing the playdough to direct sunlight for extended periods. With proper care and storage, your homemade Jello playdough can last for several weeks.

FAQ’s About Homemade Play Dough Recipe Using Jello

Can you use Jello powder in play dough recipes?

Yes, Jello powder can be used to add color and scent to homemade playdough. The Jello powder not only adds vibrant colors but also gives a pleasant scent to the playdough, enhancing the sensory experience for children.

Is Jello playdough safe for young children?

Jello playdough is generally safe for children to play with, but it’s important to supervise them, especially if they are prone to putting things in their mouths. Ensure that the playdough doesn’t contain any small objects that could be choking hazards.

How can I fix sticky playdough?

If your Jello playdough becomes sticky, you can gradually add small amounts of flour while kneading with dry hands until the stickiness is reduced. Be cautious not to add too much flour at once, as it may make the playdough dry and crumbly.

Can I rehydrate dried out Jello playdough?

Unfortunately, once Jello playdough has dried out, it cannot be rehydrated. It’s best to discard dried out playdough and make a fresh batch of new playdough.

Can you eat homemade jello playdough?

No, homemade Jello playdough is not meant to be eaten. The ingredients used in Jello playdough, such as gelatin and flour, are not intended to be ingested. It’s important to keep the playdough separate from food and to supervise young children during play to ensure they don’t attempt to eat it.

The BEST Homemade Jello Playdough Recipe for Kids to Make (3)

Yield: 2

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Difficulty: easy

Estimated Cost: $2

This is a simple Jello Playdough recipe that the kids can make! It smells great thanks to the Jello and is fun for kids of all ages!

Materials

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup flour
  • ¼ cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 6-ounce package Jello (your choice of flavor)

Instructions

  1. Mix everything together in a large bowl.
  2. Add more flour as necessary if your playdough is too wet.
  3. Store in an airtight container.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

This no cook playdough recipe contains affiliate links.

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The BEST Homemade Jello Playdough Recipe for Kids to Make (2024)

FAQs

The BEST Homemade Jello Playdough Recipe for Kids to Make? ›

how to make the world's best homemade play-doh. You'll need 3 cups of white all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of table salt, 3-4 tablespoons of any cooking oil (start with 3 and add more if necessary), 3 cups HOT water, and food coloring.

What is the 3 ingredient homemade playdough recipe? ›

3 Ingredient Play Dough
  1. 1/2 cup cornstarch.
  2. 1 cup baking soda.
  3. 3/4 cup water.
  4. Optional: 2-3 drops essential oil and 4-5 drops food coloring.
Mar 23, 2024

What is the best homemade playdough recipe? ›

how to make the world's best homemade play-doh. You'll need 3 cups of white all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of table salt, 3-4 tablespoons of any cooking oil (start with 3 and add more if necessary), 3 cups HOT water, and food coloring.

How to make jello playdough without cream of tartar? ›

How to Make Playdough Without Cream of Tartar
  1. 1 cup of flour.
  2. 1/4 cup of salt.
  3. 3/4 cup of water.
  4. 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
  5. 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
  6. Food coloring.
  7. Any seasonings or scents you would like.

How to make homemade playdough with 2 ingredients? ›

Instructions. Place the cornstarch in a large bowl. Mix in the hair conditioner with your hands--it will just start coming together and it will be pliable and very, very smooth. If desired, add a drop or two or food coloring.

How to make playdough with 4 ingredients? ›

Microwave Play Dough

1 cup flour ½ cup salt 2 tsp. Cream of tartar Then add: 1 cup of water 1 tbs. Oil Food coloring Mix all ingredients together, put in a microwave for 30 seconds. Take out and stir.

What is the secret ingredient in play dough? ›

The secret ingredient here is gelatin powder. Without gelatin powder the playdough will still be squishy, but it might begin to crumble and dry more quickly.

How to make the softest playdough? ›

The BEST Play Dough Recipe
  1. 2.5 Cups Water (boiled) (Strained Winter Potpourri water)
  2. 1 1/4 Cup Salt.
  3. 1 1/2 Tbsp Cream of Tartar.
  4. 2 1/2 Cups Flour.
  5. 5 Tbsp Oil (coconut or vegetable)
Jan 19, 2021

What is the recipe for old school playdough? ›

How to make playdough
  1. 2 cups all-purpose flour.
  2. 3/4 cup salt.
  3. 4 teaspoons cream of tartar.
  4. 2 cups lukewarm water.
  5. 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)
  6. Food coloring, optional (I like Wilton gel food coloring or AmeriColor gel)
  7. Quart sized bags.

Why cream of tartar in playdough? ›

In fact, baking powder is a mixture of baking soda and cream of tartar. It is slightly acidic, and because of this, it affects the gluten structure of the playdough to make it more elastic. Tartaric acid acts as an emulsifier, so it helps prevent any added oil from separating.

How to make jello playdough? ›

Jello Playdough Recipe
  1. 1 cup of flour.
  2. 1/2 cup of salt.
  3. 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar.
  4. 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
  5. 1 cup of warm water.
  6. Three ounces of jello – any flavor you wish.

How do you make 3 ingredient playdough? ›

1/2 cup cornstarch. 1 cup baking soda. 3/4 cup water. optional: 2-3 drops of essential oils are fun to add in.

How do you make 3 ingredient cloud dough? ›

All you need is: - 1 part baby lotion or conditioner (we used 1/3 cup) - 2 parts cornstarch (we used 2/3 cup)

What is the secret recipe for play-doh? ›

Ingredients for Super Soft Playdough
  1. 3/4 cup flour.
  2. 1/4 cup baby powder (this is the secret ingredient! If you don't like using baby powder, corn starch is a good alternative)
  3. 1/4 cup salt.
  4. 2 tsp cream of tartar.
  5. 1 tablespoon of baby oil.
  6. 3/4 cup of water.
  7. food coloring (I used gel food coloring)
Feb 20, 2023

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