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Christmas Play Dough: The Easiest Recipe!

by Angela Thayer 93 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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Filed Under: Holidays, Sensory Play Tagged With: Christmas, playdough, recipe

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  1. Julia Bellard says

    December 3, 2021 at 8:12 am

    Accidently unsubscribed. I only have email option and could not enter the survey. Please reinstate. love your emails.

    Julia

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      December 3, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      No worries. I got you added back! I can enter you into today’s giveaway, too.

      Reply
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Miss Pam says

    December 9, 2020 at 1:16 pm

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

    Reply
  5. Anastasia says

    December 9, 2020 at 11:48 am

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

    Reply
  6. Karissa Ly says

    December 9, 2020 at 10:04 am

    I love those wooden tools. So fun!

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    December 9, 2020 at 10:01 am

    Alex Art Wooden Dough Tools

    Reply
  8. 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
  9. Laura Martin says

    December 9, 2020 at 5:56 am

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

    Reply
  10. 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
  11. Jennifer says

    December 9, 2020 at 12:35 am

    The play dough tools look really cool!

    Reply
  12. Linda Adler says

    December 9, 2020 at 12:03 am

    love your ideas

    Reply
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. Anne says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:08 pm

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

    Reply
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. Judith Martinez says

    December 8, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    I love the wooden play dough tools!!

    Reply
  20. 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
  21. Nancy Y Fillip says

    December 8, 2020 at 4:53 pm

    This looks like fun. Thanks for offering.

    Reply
  22. Katie says

    December 8, 2020 at 4:06 pm

    I would love the wooden tool set!

    Reply
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. Veronica Marciante says

    December 8, 2020 at 3:11 pm

    Thanks Angela for the giveaway and building this beautiful community!

    Reply
  26. Anel says

    December 8, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    I would love the fine motor set for my youngest!

    Reply
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. Janet says

    December 8, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    Either kit would be great to have

    Reply
  30. Seanna says

    December 8, 2020 at 1:31 pm

    Love the wooden play dough tools! Never seen those before

    Reply
  31. 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
  32. 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
  33. 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
  34. Morgan says

    December 8, 2020 at 11:42 am

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

    Reply
  35. 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
  36. Kim says

    December 8, 2020 at 10:54 am

    Wonderful ideas to use at school and home.

    Reply
  37. Leanne says

    December 8, 2020 at 10:31 am

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

    Reply
  38. 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
  39. 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
  40. 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
  41. 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
  42. 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
  43. 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
  44. 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
  45. 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
  46. deb jerome says

    December 8, 2020 at 9:19 am

    Wooden dough tools!!!

    Reply
  47. Jennifer Graham says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:57 am

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

    Reply
  48. Karen says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:55 am

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

    Reply
  49. Jaya says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:52 am

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

    Reply
  50. Theresa Cope says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:49 am

    Love the idea of adding Styrofoam cone and decorations.

    Reply
  51. Charissa Reed says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:47 am

    I would love the fine motor tools.

    Reply
  52. 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
  53. Kristin DeFazio says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:36 am

    I would love the wooden dough tools.

    Reply
  54. 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
  55. Ashly Cole says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:29 am

    The fine motor tool kit looks like a complete win!

    Reply
  56. Christina Connor says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Love the wooden dough tools!

    Reply
  57. Jana Meyer says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Alex Art tools look so fun!

    Reply
  58. Stephanie says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:25 am

    I would like to win the fine motor kit

    Reply
  59. 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
  60. 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
  61. Ali L. says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:17 am

    The wooden dough tools would be great to have!

    Reply
  62. Sharla says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:15 am

    These would be awesome.

    Reply
  63. 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
  64. Tina says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:11 am

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

    Reply
  65. 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
  66. Kay Kivett says

    December 8, 2020 at 8:05 am

    I love the tools to help strengthen little fingers !!

    Reply
  67. 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
  68. 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
  69. Tammy Brizendine says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:58 am

    Love play dough activities.

    Reply
  70. Barbara R. Sebens says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:58 am

    kids love playdough

    Reply
  71. 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
  72. 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
  73. Tara says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:55 am

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

    Reply
  74. Susan Campbell says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:54 am

    It would have to be the wooden dough tools.

    Reply
  75. Talita says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:53 am

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

    Reply
  76. Michele says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:53 am

    Fantastic!!

    Reply
  77. Danlyn says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:53 am

    Wooden dough tools!

    Reply
  78. Haviva says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:52 am

    Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  79. Susan Campbell says

    December 8, 2020 at 7:52 am

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

    Reply
  80. 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
  81. 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
  82. 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
  83. 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
  84. 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

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