How to Make Playdough That Actually Works

This easy playdough recipe is a fun sensory activity for kids to enjoy during the autumn and fall months.

DIY playdough is not only fun to make, it is cheaper than purchasing ready-made playdough and lasts a lot longer. You can make huge batches for a number of kids and this fun recipe is a fantastic fall-themed playdough recipe.

Why not make your own playdough today? It’s super easy to do!

Ingredients for This DIY Playdough Recipe

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
• ¾ cup salt, divided
• 3 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 ½ cups warm water, divided
• 3 teaspoons coconut oil, divided
• Food colourings – red, green, orange and brown
• Food Flavourings – apple, green apple and caramel brown

Be sure to check out this erupting playdough volcano activity here!

RELATED POST: EDIBLE SLIME FOR KIDS – PLAY DOUGH RECIPE

How to Make Red Playdough

Add ½ cup flour, ¼ cup salt and 1 teaspoon cream of tartar to a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

Add ½ cup warm water and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to a medium saucepan. Add 3-4 drops of red food colouring and 1 teaspoon of apple flavouring oil. Whisk to distribute the colour.

Pour the flour mix into the saucepan and whisk until combined.

Place the saucepan on the stovetop under medium heat. Stir continuously until a lump of dough forms (about one minute). Remove from heat.

Allow the red apple playdough to cool for 5 minutes. With your hands, knead the dough for about 5 minutes or until it is soft and pliable.

Make Your Own Playdough With Apple Scent

Add ½ cup flour, ¼ cup salt and 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine and set aside.

Add ½ cup warm water and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to a medium sauce pan. Add 3 to 4 drops of lime green food colouring and 1 teaspoon of green apple flavouring oil. Whisk to combine.

Add the flour mixture to the water and whisk until well combined.

Place the sauce pan on the stove top under medium heat. Stir continuously until a lump of dough forms. Remove from heat and allow to cool for five minutes.

Once cooled, knead the green apple playdough with your hands until it is soft and pliable.

Add ½ cup flour, ¼ cup salt and 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar to a small mixing bowl. Whisk together the ingredients and set aside.

In a medium sauce pan, add ½ cup water and 1 teaspoon coconut oil. Add 4 drops of orange food colouring and 2 drops of brown food colouring and stir to combine.

Heat the sauce pan under medium heat, stirring constantly until a stiff ball of dough forms. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.

Knead the caramel playdough for about 5 minutes or until it is soft and pliable.

Playdough Sensory Activity

This caramel apple playdough will give your child hours of imaginary and sensory fun! And it smells so yummy!!

To make the actual caramel apples, gather popsicle sticks, an apple shaped cookie cutter, fall sprinkles, googly eyes, kids scissors and black pipe cleaners (cut into 2 inch pieces).

Roll and flatten out the red, green and caramel brown playdough.

Using an apple cookie cutter, cut out red, green and caramel brown apple shapes.

Cut the caramel brown apples in half lengthwise and place the upper part on top of each red and green apple.

Sprinkle the fall sprinkles on top of each caramel piece. You are now ready to enjoy this DIY playdough recipe.

Add googly eyes and a pipe cleaner smile. Insert a popsicle stick into the top of each apple.

ENJOY!!

Have you seen our free printable Playdough Counting Mats?

More Fall Crafts You Might Like:

Rainbow Thanksgiving Turkey Craft For Kids

Playdough Craft Perfect for Fall

Owl Craft For Kids Made From Paper