 |
'Tis the season for giving and good smells and this activity is perfect for this time of year!
A few years back we received a package in the mail that smelled like gingerbread cookies and as our mouths watered and the kids ripped off the paper we were surprised to discover something that lasts a lot longer than a plate of holiday treats - Gingerbread Playdough! Along with the dough were some tiny cookie cutters, googly eyes, other dough-play accessories, and a small Gingerbread Baby book by Jan Brett. This set has provided hours of imaginative and independent play for both of our children (and yes, even me!)
The recipe and steps are simple enough for the kids to help prepare the ingredients while a grown-up, or older child, can help when it comes time to simmer it on the stovetop. Our daughter loved measuring and mixing the ingredients right into the saucepan for me!
We ended up with four balls of dough, each about the size of a tennis ball, which was plenty for me to save some aside for a holiday gift for a friend. The accessories (all optional) are items we found around the house and since the ingredients were already in my kitchen, this can be a budget-friendly activity and gift.
When we first received it as a present it was packaged in a cute metal lunchbox my friend had found at a discount store, but really as long as the dough is kept in an airtight container, you can wrap it up any way you like to store or gift!
This recipe is so adaptable with a few simple modifications you can have a whole variety of "scent-sational" DIY gifts!
Easy Homemade Gingerbread Play Dough
- 1 cup of Flour
- 1/4 cup of Salt
- 2 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1 tbsp each of Nutmeg and Ground Cloves
- 2 tbsp each of Cinnamon and Ginger
- 1 cup of Water
- 2 tbsp of Vegetable Oil
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan on medium heat. Keep stirring until the dough changes to a thick lump and then let it cool to the touch. Knead until smooth
Looking for more options? Check out these variations of the same base recipe:
 |
Peppermint Play Dough
- 1 cup of Flour
- 1/4 cup of Salt
- 2 tsp Cream of Tartar
- Several drops of Peppermint Extract
- 1 cup of Water
- 2 tbsp of Vegetable Oil
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan on medium heat. Keep stirring until the dough changes to a thick lump and then let it cool to the touch. Knead until smooth
If you want to dye the dough one color you can add the food coloring (I recommend gel) while it is in the saucepan and you are stirring. If you would like to have multiple colors as I did in the photos above, divide the dough into balls and add drops of food coloring before kneading the dough. I recommend wearing gloves because it takes a while for the dye to wash off of your hands.
 |
DIY Pumpkin Pie Play Dough
- 1 cup of Flour
- 1/4 cup of Salt
- 2 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 2-3 tbsp of "Pumpkin Pie" Spice blend
- 1 cup of Water
- 2 tbsp of Vegetable Oil
Mix all ingredients in a saucepan on medium heat. Keep stirring until the dough changes to a thick lump and then let it cool to the touch. Knead until smooth
If you want to dye the dough please see the suggestions under the Peppermint Play Dough on when to add the food coloring. Keep in mind that this dough will be a light brown in color, so you will end up with some great "fall" colors if you add extra drops of the food coloring. Again I recommend the gel versus liquid food coloring.
I hope you enjoy trying all three of our fave seasonal “scent-sational” play doughs!
Peppermint, Pumpkin Pie and Gingerbread - all make great DIY presents for the holidays. Simply add a cute container (airtight for the dough) and some embellishments like pipe cleaners, buttons, gems, cookie cutters or dough tools and maybe add a book before wrapping it all together for a wonderful winter holiday present!
Gift note suggestions:
We were “mint” to be friends!
Enjoy this “dough-lightful” gift!
Happy DIY Holidays!
