There's no need to stick to basic playdough with these ideas for more creative materials from Kevin Kelman
Try using some of these recipes to provide the children with a range of sensory experiences when using playdough in your setting.
Fruity dough
What you need
- 1 packet of sugar-free fruit flavoured jelly crystals (approx 25g)
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 cup of salt
- 4 tablespoons of cream of tartar
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
What to do
- Mix all the dry ingredients in a pan.
- Add the boiling water and cooking oil.
- Stir over a medium heat until the mixture forms a ball.
- Remove the mixture from the pan and allow it to cool.
- Attach a picture of the appropriate fruit to the lid of the airtight container.
- Use different flavours to make various colours and smells.
Soapy dough
What you need
- 2 cups of flour
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 2 tablespoons of poster paint
- tablespoon liquid soap
- 1/2 cup of water
What to do
- Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Mix the liquid ingredients in another.
- Combine the two mixtures and stir.
- Knead the mixture until it forms a ball.
Smelly dough
What you need
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 cup of salt
- 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
- scented ingredient (cinnamon, flavoured tea, grated scented soap or peppermint food flavouring)
- 1 cup of warm water
What to do
- Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl.
- Mix all the liquid ingredients in another.
- Stir the two mixtures together until the dough forms a ball.
- Finally, knead on a lightly floured surface until the dough is pliable.
- As an alternative, add food colouring.
Chocolate dough
What you need
- 1 1/4 cups of flour
- 1/2 cup of cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 1/2 tablespoon of cream of tartar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of cooking oil
- 1 cup of boiling water
What to do
- Mix the dry ingredients.
- Add the cooking oil and boiling water.
- Stir quickly and mix well.
- Cook over low heat until dough forms a ball.
- When the mixture is cool, mix it with your hands.
Oatmeal dough
What you need
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 cup of water
- 2 cups of oatmeal
What to do
- Mix all ingredients until smooth.
- Knead the mixture until it forms a ball shape
Coffee dough
What you need
- 4 cups of flour
- 1 cup of salt
- 1/4 cup of instant coffee
- 1 1/2 cups of warm water
What to do
- Dissolve the coffee in the warm water in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix the flour and the salt.
- Make a well and add one cup of the coffee and water and mix.
- Continue to add the coffee and water mixture until the dough is smooth.
Rainbow dough
What you need
- 3 cups of flour
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 3 cups of water
- 1 1/2 cups of salt
- 6 teaspoons of cream of tartar
- various bottles of food colouring
What to do
- Mix all ingredients apart from the food colouring in saucepan.
- Heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms.
- Knead until smooth.
- Divide the mixture into four balls.
- Add a different food colouring to each ball and mix.
- Use a rolling pin to roll the different balls into one another to create a rainbow effect.
Sand dough
What you need
- 4 cups of clean sand
- 3 cups of flour
- 1 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of cooking oil
What to do
- Combine all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Knead the mixture until it forms a ball.
- As an alternative, add a little golden syrup to change the texture.
- Sawdust can be used as an alternative to sand.
More or less
If you find that the consistency of any of these recipes is too dry, simply add a few drops of water until the desired consistency is reached. If the dough is too moist, add small amounts of flour until you get the correct consistency. The recipes using boiling water should not be prepared when there are small children around.
Each dough should be stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator