Easy Homemade Play Dough and Its Many Uses

I received a recipe for homemade play dough years ago from a kindergarten teacher and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made it.  It is soft and squishy and entirely satisfying to sink your hands into.  It’s quick and easy to make and I think you’ll agree it’s far more fun than that store bought stuff!

Here’s the no-fail recipe for perfect play dough:

• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 1/2 cups flour (more may be needed)
• 2 cups boiling water

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Add boiling water and oil.  Stir quickly and mix well.  When cool mix completely with your hands (I usually have my two willing assistants do this job).  Add more flour if the dough is too oily.  Store in an air tight container.

Using Kool-Aid packets to color the play dough also adds a fun scent.  We keep it in a plastic container, and it lasts a month or so.  Having a large amount of one color has worked out much better than individual containers of store-bought play dough in different colors.  And you just can’t beat the squishiness!

My six year old son plays with it the most.  Not only is it good for long periods of creative (and quiet!) play, it actually has been quite handy for schoolwork.  It’s a way for my hands-on learner to practice letters and words.

When we were working on letter names and sounds I purchased a set of alphabet cookie cutters and would ask him to cut out certain letters for me.  I also made frequent use of the ABC play dough mats by Jolanthe of Homeschool Creations.  Print them up, pop them into a page protector or laminate them, and they can be used over and over.  I would have my son make snakes and then form the letters for me.  This worked especially well when he was mixing up letters (like B and D) because the picture on the mats helped reinforce the letter name and sound.

Now that he’s older I’ll ask him to make words for me.  It’s fun hands-on practice that doesn’t involve writing on paper.  There is only so much writing I can get him to do in a day, but if school involves getting out the play dough he’s pretty agreeable.

In case you’re wondering, he uses the play dough for hours outside of our school uses.  His current obsession is tanks, and he uses the play dough to build tank armies.  In the photo you can see his book on tanks in the background.  After all, even when playing one must be accurate when it comes to tanks.

The funny part is that just the other day I realized there was more than just a battle going on–he was testing!  Do you see the tank without a turret that he’s still building?  The little object sticking out of the hole is the man.  (Or should I say crash test dummy?)  After the battle he pulls off the turret or cuts into the tank to see how the driver fared.

A lump of play dough unleashes creativity: leave a fresh batch on your counter and see what it becomes!