Homemade Playdough is a DIY activity for the kids that’s colorful, fun, and entertaining for hours! Kids and adults alike always have a blast making and playing with this vibrant craft.
What’s in this Homemade Playdough Recipe?
Keeping the kids busy can be quite a hassle. I’m always looking for new ways to entertain them that don’t break the bank and won’t make a big mess. That’s where this Kool-Aid playdough comes in! It may get everyone’s hands a little messy, but it’s a much more contained mess than some other crafts out there.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the playdough structure.
- Kosher Salt: Adds texture and helps to prevent the growth of bacteria or mold in the playdough.
- Cream of Tartar: Helps give the playdough a super soft texture, great elasticity, and makes it last longer.
- Kool-Aid Drink Mix: Adds scent and color to the playdough.
- Water: Adds moisture to bind the ingredients together and create a pliable dough.
- Oil: Helps make the playdough smooth and prevents it from sticking to hands or surfaces.
Important Note: This is a craft recipe and is not intended for consumption.
Variations on Kool Aid Playdough
You can make just about any color of the rainbow using Kool-Aid packets. Tropical punch, cherry, lemonade, pink lemonade, grape, berry cherry, strawberry, lemon-lime, orange, or blue raspberry all make vibrant colors.
I’ve discovered that using real Kool-Aid is the most certain way to get the best-smelling and most vibrant playdough! While generic brands will also work, nothing can quite beat the original stuff.
Here’s the thing – this playdough is going to smell so good, way better than actual Play-Doh. However, just like Play-Doh, this isn’t necessarily meant to be consumed. If your little one sneaks a taste, it’s not the worst thing in the world, but try to avoid anyone taking big bites out of this craft.
This is the best part about making this craft! Usually, when your kids make a craft, it’s all done by the time it’s created. However, this playdough will stay fresh for up to 2 months! Just be sure to keep it in an airtight container at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.
How to Store
Store homemade playdough in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
While you can’t eat this playdough, you can certainly serve some tasty snacks alongside it to keep the kiddos happy. I love funfetti cookies, Lucky Charms cookies, Neapolitan cookies, candy grapes, or Fruity Pebbles treats for a fun and colorful snack.
Homemade Playdough Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 120 grams
- ½ cup kosher salt 72 grams
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 7 grams
- 0.26 ounces Kool-Aid drink mix 7.2 grams (2 packets)
- 1 cup water 227 grams
- 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil 13 grams
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and Kool-Aid until there are no lumps.1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup kosher salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 0.26 ounces Kool-Aid drink mix
- Pour in the water and oil, stirring to combine.1 cup water, 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
- While stirring, heat the mixture over medium-low heat until it begins to thicken and gather around the spoon.
- Remove the mixture from the pan and place it on a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper. Knead the mixture until it becomes a nice smooth texture.
Notes
- If the playdough is exposed to air, it will start to dry out.
- If the playdough starts to get dry, you can knead in a small amount of oil to add moisture, but it can’t be saved if it starts getting hard and crispy.
- The cream of tartar will help the texture of the playdough; it causes a chemical reaction to help make it fluffy. You don’t have to use it, but it will have a denser texture. I found you can get it on Amazon for a better price than the grocery stores.
- When storing this playdough, use a durable Ziplock bag or Tupperware that’s truly airtight. This stuff can dry out pretty easily.
- Want to be the coolest parent at the birthday party? Hand out this playdough in mini solo cups with lids as a party favor!
- For an even more vibrant color, or just to experiment with colors, you can use food dye! Squirt in a few drops when you’re initially pouring all of the ingredients into the pot.
- Important Note: This is a craft recipe and is not intended for consumption.
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