Homemade playdough is so easy to make, and this fruity-scented Jello playdough is excellent for sensory play with your kiddos! This fun and easy homemade playdough recipe uses the classic Jello powder packs. Can you eat Jello playdough? No, not recommended for eating, but it sure does smell good! Check out how to make homemade playdough with Jello and cream of tartar and follow our easy activity suggestions.
PinHomemade Playdough
Playdough is an excellent addition to your preschool learning activities! Even create a busy box from a ball of homemade Jello playdough, a small rolling pin, and cookie cutters.
Kids can explore shapes and fruit themes creatively with our homemade playdough. See below for playdough activity ideas and a free printable playdough mat.
There are so many fun variations of playdough to make and enjoy with young kids. Here are a few of our favorites…
- Foam Dough
- Strawberry Playdough
- Super Soft Playdough
- Edible Frosting Playdough
- Koolaid Playdough
- Glow In The Dark Playdough
Things To Do With Jello Playdough
Check out more fun playdough activities sprinkled below to encourage hands-on learning, fine motor skills, and math!
Make Playdough Fruit
Use a fruit scented playdough to make your own fruit with cookie cutters. We made oranges, lemons and cherries with different Jello flavors!
TIP: Make a few batches of Jello playdough in different colors!
STEP 1. Roll out your playdough with a mini roller or flatten with the palm of your hand.
STEP 2. Use a fruit-shaped cookie cutter to cut out fruit shapes from the playdough.
STEP 3. Use circle cookie cutters as an alternative to create your own fruits such as orange or lemon slices! How about a pair of cherries?
STEP 4. Use a play knife to add details such as fruit segments!
PinMath Activities With Playdough
Here are some simple suggestions for how to pair math with playdough.
- Turn it into a counting activity and add dice! Roll balls of playdough and count them.
- Make it a game and be the first one to get to 20 wins!
- Add number playdough stamps.
- Add a playdough mat or two!
FREE Printable Rainbow Playdough Mat!
Jello Playdough Recipe
This is a cooked playdough recipe. Go here for our favorite no cook playdough recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 Tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 cup of water
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- Food coloring
- 1 packet of Jello (per batch)
PinHow To Make Playdough With Jello
STEP 1: Add the flour, salt, and cream of tartar, and one Jello packet to a medium mixing bowl and mix well. Set aside.
PinSTEP 2: Add the water and vegetable oil to a medium saucepan. Heat until boiling and then remove from the stovetop. You can also add additional food coloring as desired.
PinSTEP 3: Add the flour mixture to the hot water and stir continuously until a stiff ball of dough forms. Remove the dough from the pan and place it on your work center. Allow the playdough mixture to cool for 5 minutes.
PinSTEP 4: Knead the dough until it is soft and pliable (about 3-4 minutes).
PinHow Long Does Jello Playdough Last
Keep your playdough stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Resealable plastic containers work well and are easy for little hands to open. You can also use zip-top bags.
TIP: Wash hands before using playdough to keep it as clean as possible and it will last longer!
LOOK: How To Make Jello Slime
PinFree Printable Playdough Mats
Add all of these free printable playdough mats to your early-learning activities!
- Bug Playdough Mat
- Rainbow Playdough Mat
- Recycling Playdough Mat
- Skeleton Playdough Mat
- Pond Playdough Mat
- In the Garden Playdough Mat
- Build Flowers Playdough Mat
- Weather Playdough Mats
More Fun Sensory Recipes To Make
We have a few more recipes that are all time favorites! Easy to make, only a few ingredients and young kids love them for sensory play! Looking for more unique ways to engage the senses? Check out more fun sensory activities for kids!
Make kinetic sand that is moldable play sand for little hands.
Homemade oobleck is easy with just 2 ingredients.
Mix up some soft and moldable cloud dough.
Find out how simple it is to color rice for sensory play.
Try edible slime for a taste safe play experience.
Of course, playdough with shaving foam is fun to try!
Printable Playdough Recipes Pack
If you want an easy-to-use printable resource for all your favorite playdough recipes, including this one, and exclusive (only available in this pack) playdough mats, grab our printable Playdough Project Pack!
