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Christmas Play Dough: The Easiest Recipe!

by Angela Thayer 91 Comments

My kids LOVE play dough. We play with it almost daily. I rarely buy it and prefer to make it myself because it truly is easy and much cheaper! Today I want to share with you the easiest and best play dough recipe. This is especially fun to make for Christmas gifts!

christmas play dough - the best recipe!

Christmas Play Dough Supplies

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 Tablespoon Cream of Tartar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • food coloring
  • items to play with it – glitter, beads, bows, styrofoam shaped like a cone (for a tree)

Directions for Christmas Play Dough

First, take the dry ingredients and mix them. Then add in the water and oil. Put ingredients in a pot on the stove and cook on med/low. Keep stirring until it starts to get sticky and it doesn’t look wet.

Then put the dough on a mat, let it sit for a minute, and then knead it (CAREFUL-it will be warm!). Then you can add in whatever colors you want. I chose red and green for this holiday season. I also chose to add some shimmer to it.

Christmas Sparkly Play Dough

And there you have it…the easiest play dough recipe!

And do you know what’s so great about play dough?

It allows children to be imaginative and creative. While playing, they build up strength in their tiny hands to make them ready for pencil and scissor control. And it’s easy cleanup!

Another fun way to use this play dough is to put it in a clear box and add items for a child to decorate the dough with. We added in beaded necklaces (cut into pieces), sequin strips, gems, bows, and bells.

I also gave my little ones styrofoam cones so they could wrap play dough around it to look like a tree and then decorate it. So easy, but leads to lots of play time!

Play dough is the best and is such an easy way to keep kids busy! Hope you’ll try this out!


For 2 days only, you can enter to win one of the following awesome products! These are great for sensory play. You do need to live in the United States to enter this giveaway.

Fine Motor Tool Kit

Alex Art Wooden Dough Tools

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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  • Honey PlaydoughHoney Playdough
  • Kool Aid PlaydoughKool Aid Playdough

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Filed Under: Holidays, Sensory Play Tagged With: Christmas, playdough, recipe

Comments

  1. Lorraine says
    February 25, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    Hi could you possibly tell the conversion for cups, into ounces and grams please? Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  2. Charéa says
    September 22, 2017 at 7:48 am

    How did you store it?

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says
      September 22, 2017 at 5:17 pm

      I keep it in a sealed plastic bag or container.

      Reply
  3. Angie says
    November 24, 2020 at 9:41 pm

    Can cream of tartar be replaced for another ingredient?

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says
      November 28, 2020 at 2:15 pm

      I haven’t tried this, but others have told me that lemon juice is a good replacement.

      Reply
  4. Sarah Cooper says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:49 am

    I.Am.In.Love. I hope I’m a winner! My kids will definitely be surprised!

    Reply
  5. Brittany Hope says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:50 am

    I love the playdough tools! Endless possibilities for creaivity.

    Reply
    • Tara S. says
      December 8, 2020 at 11:24 am

      I love both sets of tools. Either set would be well-loved by my kids.

      Reply
  6. Susan Campbell says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:52 am

    Will have to do this in my Family Childcare. How nice.

    Reply
  7. Haviva says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:52 am

    Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Danlyn says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:53 am

    Wooden dough tools!

    Reply
  9. Michele says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:53 am

    Fantastic!!

    Reply
  10. Talita says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:53 am

    Love the fine motor tools!
    Play dough is my favorite go to activity

    Reply
  11. Susan Campbell says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:54 am

    It would have to be the wooden dough tools.

    Reply
  12. Tara says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:55 am

    I’d love to enter this giveaway! Thank you and Merry Christmas!! 🎄💕

    Reply
  13. Erin says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:56 am

    The fine motor skills toolset looks like something great to have, I am always looking for a way to work on those skills in a fun way with my little.

    Reply
  14. Emily C says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:56 am

    I love the fine motor tools, I think they look engaging for the kids and I can see a lot of opportunities to use them!

    Reply
  15. Barbara R. Sebens says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:58 am

    kids love playdough

    Reply
  16. Tammy Brizendine says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:58 am

    Love play dough activities.

    Reply
  17. Julie Connelly says
    December 8, 2020 at 7:58 am

    I would love the fine motor tool kit. My students could really use some help when it comes to fine motor skills & this kit would REALLY help!!!!

    Reply
  18. Terri T. says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:01 am

    I had never thought about giving the kids bells, beads, and jewels to decorate the playdough; what a great idea!!!

    Reply
  19. Kay Kivett says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:05 am

    I love the tools to help strengthen little fingers !!

    Reply
  20. Dawn says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:07 am

    I’d love the wooden play dough tools. I have a bunch of plastic ones that break and don’t last and I think the wooden ones would last a lifetime.

    Reply
  21. Tina says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:11 am

    What a fun way to strengthen those fine motor “muscles”!

    Reply
  22. Carol K. says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:14 am

    I love this recipe. I’ve always added a packet of kool-aid to the water for vibrant color and smell!

    Reply
  23. Sharla says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:15 am

    These would be awesome.

    Reply
  24. Ali L. says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:17 am

    The wooden dough tools would be great to have!

    Reply
  25. Christine M Clowes says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:17 am

    Play dough is a great fine motor activity. My children would love the tools to use on our play dough.

    Reply
  26. Sarah Myers says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:19 am

    These would be awesome to have! My students love sensory and fine motor activities!!!

    Reply
  27. Stephanie says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:25 am

    I would like to win the fine motor kit

    Reply
  28. Jana Meyer says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Alex Art tools look so fun!

    Reply
  29. Christina Connor says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Love the wooden dough tools!

    Reply
  30. Ashly Cole says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:29 am

    The fine motor tool kit looks like a complete win!

    Reply
  31. Emily says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:33 am

    I sometimes add food coloring to the WATER before cooking… try that if the color comes off on your hands while kneading 🙂

    Reply
  32. Kristin DeFazio says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:36 am

    I would love the wooden dough tools.

    Reply
  33. Rocio F. says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:41 am

    I will have to try this! This looks so fun! Thanks for all the ideas!

    Reply
  34. Charissa Reed says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:47 am

    I would love the fine motor tools.

    Reply
  35. Theresa Cope says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:49 am

    Love the idea of adding Styrofoam cone and decorations.

    Reply
  36. Jaya says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:52 am

    Will love to do our family Christmas party fun activities with these amazing supplies.

    Reply
  37. Karen says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:55 am

    My littles would LOVE the playdough tools! Many thanks for all you do!

    Reply
  38. Jennifer Graham says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:57 am

    Love the playdough recipe! We love playdough! Thanks for the giveaways!

    Reply
  39. deb jerome says
    December 8, 2020 at 9:19 am

    Wooden dough tools!!!

    Reply
  40. Julie says
    December 8, 2020 at 9:22 am

    Those look like really fun tools my grandson would love to play with!

    A question though…does the food coloring stain the child’s hands???

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says
      December 8, 2020 at 10:33 am

      Ours does not stain hands. I do suggest using liquid food coloring, not gel food coloring. Gel seems to stain hands. It does wash out eventually.

      Reply
  41. Marisa says
    December 8, 2020 at 9:28 am

    I am a speech pathologist working in a school – love all your experiments they’ve definitely helped to keep my kiddos interested while working on their therapy goals. Any new tools would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

    Reply
  42. Shana says
    December 8, 2020 at 9:40 am

    I love the idea of using styrofoam shapes. I never would have thought of adding that to my play-dough center.

    Reply
  43. Helena says
    December 8, 2020 at 9:41 am

    Thank you for the chance! I am a subscriber and love all the wonderful ideas you post!

    Reply
  44. Ann says
    December 8, 2020 at 9:51 am

    We are working on a way to use play dough in the new year at school. Because of the virus each student will have to have their own. I love it because it is a fun way to work fine motor skills and its so relaxing.

    Reply
  45. Dawn says
    December 8, 2020 at 9:54 am

    Where did you get the clear storage boxes?? I checked amazon but did not see ones that have the large compartment on the right to store the playdough and rolling pin. I can’t wait to do this with my students with following and giving directions during language therapy.

    Reply
  46. Charis says
    December 8, 2020 at 10:20 am

    I can still remember playing with the warm freshly made play dough my mother made when I was a child. Best memories!

    Reply
  47. Judy says
    December 8, 2020 at 10:20 am

    This would help my little one with his fine motor skills problem. Thank you for making this giveaway.

    Reply
    • Judy says
      December 8, 2020 at 10:24 am

      Alex Art Wooden Dough Tools Set or Fine Motor Tool Kit my little one would love thank you

      Reply
  48. Leanne says
    December 8, 2020 at 10:31 am

    I’d love to win the Fine Motor Tool Kit. Thanks!

    Reply
  49. Kim says
    December 8, 2020 at 10:54 am

    Wonderful ideas to use at school and home.

    Reply
  50. Tara S. says
    December 8, 2020 at 11:27 am

    I love both sets of tools. Either set would be well-loved by my kids.

    Reply
  51. Morgan says
    December 8, 2020 at 11:42 am

    So cool!! Can’t wait to try this out!!

    Reply
  52. VaNae Barlow says
    December 8, 2020 at 11:45 am

    This recipe is the best of all play dough I have tried been using it since babysitting in my teens, then when I ran a preschool, at home and now with my grandkids. I think the oil and cream of tarter is the secret.

    Reply
  53. Jean says
    December 8, 2020 at 11:52 am

    Thanks for the recipe! I would love to win the wooden dough toys! They look sturdy and will allow for great creative play. I love incorporating sensory play into every day!

    Reply
  54. Lauren Mallett says
    December 8, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    Great ideas for Christmas play! My kiddos would love the wooden dough tools set!

    Reply
  55. Seanna says
    December 8, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    Love the wooden play dough tools! Never seen those before

    Reply
  56. Janet says
    December 8, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    Either kit would be great to have

    Reply
  57. Ashley says
    December 8, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    I would like to receive the wooden play dough tools please. Thanks so much for the great activities and ideas you share!

    Reply
  58. Dylan says
    December 8, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    Homemade playdo was a staple here. I used to make it every month (changing colors, adding glitter or sand, etc) when I taught Kindergarten. Those wooden tools are super cool.

    Reply
  59. Anel says
    December 8, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    I would love the fine motor set for my youngest!

    Reply
  60. Veronica Marciante says
    December 8, 2020 at 3:11 pm

    Thanks Angela for the giveaway and building this beautiful community!

    Reply
  61. Michelle says
    December 8, 2020 at 3:11 pm

    You always have such great ideas, thanks so much for sharing. The wooden tools look so fun to use. Will definitely have to try making my own Play Doh.

    Reply
  62. Laura DP says
    December 8, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    I love the fine motor tools. I can see how those could be used in so many ways in my classroom. I will need to keep a look out for all sorts of sparkly and festive bits and pieces for this playdough idea.

    Reply
  63. Katie says
    December 8, 2020 at 4:06 pm

    I would love the wooden tool set!

    Reply
  64. Nancy Y Fillip says
    December 8, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    This looks like fun. Thanks for offering.

    Reply
  65. Kelly Bialk says
    December 8, 2020 at 5:35 pm

    Love the idea of making play dough time different! My girls love it and this is a fun way to make it go with the holiday!

    Reply
  66. Judith Martinez says
    December 8, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    I love the wooden play dough tools!!

    Reply
  67. Megan says
    December 8, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    My kids would love the wooden dough tool set! We’ve been making holiday themed playdoh…orange and green for Halloween to make pumpkins and monsters and brown for thanksgiving to make turkeys. We’re ready to make our Christmas themed playdoh this week! Love your idea of adding bows, beads, crystals to make a playdoh tree!

    Reply
  68. Michelle Peek says
    December 8, 2020 at 6:30 pm

    This is my favorite playdoh recipe too! Love love love using playdoh in therapy with my language delayed kiddos–very soothing and calming for them!

    Reply
  69. Rene T Latner says
    December 8, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    I would love to win the wooden dough tools. With 2 kids now I don’t have enough for both of them to play with dough at the same time!!

    Reply
  70. Anne says
    December 8, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    My kids love playfaough and this is a nice blog for a holiday set!

    Reply
  71. Beth says
    December 8, 2020 at 9:46 pm

    I love activities that encourage creativity. This certainly fits the bill. Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
  72. Sherri says
    December 8, 2020 at 10:41 pm

    Ooh I can’t wait to make the playdough for my daughter’s. We would love to win the wooden dough tools.

    Reply
  73. Linda Adler says
    December 9, 2020 at 12:03 am

    love your ideas

    Reply
  74. Jennifer says
    December 9, 2020 at 12:35 am

    The play dough tools look really cool!

    Reply
  75. JennD says
    December 9, 2020 at 3:32 am

    I’m a kindergarten teacher & I’m making mini kits for my kids as holiday gifts bc I value the importance of creative play & fine motor fun w/o a screen! I’m also making a batch for our holiday party this year scented w/ pine (green) & peppermint (red/white) fragrance oils. The box of wooden tools are on my wish list!

    Reply
  76. Laura Martin says
    December 9, 2020 at 5:56 am

    This is so genius! I never thought about using styrofoam with playdoh.

    Reply
  77. Stacey S says
    December 9, 2020 at 9:24 am

    I love these tools! They have been on my wish list for a while!

    Reply
  78. Jennifer says
    December 9, 2020 at 10:01 am

    Alex Art Wooden Dough Tools

    Reply
  79. Karissa Ly says
    December 9, 2020 at 10:04 am

    I love those wooden tools. So fun!

    Reply
  80. Anastasia says
    December 9, 2020 at 11:48 am

    We’d love to win playdough tools. They are adorable!

    Reply
  81. Miss Pam says
    December 9, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    Love it!!! Adding peppermint essential oil to it too!! Thanks!

    Reply
  82. Robin Walker says
    December 9, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    I love the wooden dough tools! The plastic ones don’t seem to last very long with a lor of use!

    Reply
  83. kaleena Bell says
    December 10, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    we are always looking for more playdoh fun toys and objects to stick/use in/with our playdoh

    Reply

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