Looking for a fun sensory activity? Try making jello playdough! It smells amazing and it is so smooth. This may be my favorite playdough we have ever made!
Here’s what you need:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- 1 package of Jello (sugar-free or regular)
Mix all the ingredients together and cook over low on the stove. Stir frequently. I used a whisk to get rid of the clumps and then cooked for 5-7 minutes, stirring with a spatula. Once the dough starts to gather together into a ball and doesn’t stick to your fingers (see the picture below), then you can take it off the stove.
After it cools for a minute, knead it on a cutting board. That’s all you do! We made 3 colors and stored them in these small Ziploc containers. I liked these little containers because I divided the colors evenly for both boys.
Check out how to make it with the video below.
This is a fun sensory activity and great to make on a day when you need to keep the little ones busy! Play dough is awesome for building strength in hands, which helps with prewriting skills and fine motor skills. Let them squish, roll, cut, and explore the playdough with their little fingers.
My preschooler loves practicing scissor skills with playdough. He uses preschool scissors, which are easy to use with playdough and are very safe.
I have been teaching them how to roll playdough into a ball and how to make a snake. It’s a work in progress! 🙂
Lastly, we got out our cookie cutters. Troy learned how to use a rolling pin and REALLY enjoyed cutting out his creations.
Have you tried making jello playdough? I highly recommend it!
Jello Playdough
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
- 1 package Jello This can be sugar-free or regular. You will want the small package of Jello.
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together into a pot.
- Place the pot on the stove on low-medium heat.
- Stir frequently. Once the dough starts to gather together and form a ball, remove it from the heat.
- After it cools for a minute, add some flour to it and knead it.
Just made this with my toddler. I followed the recipe exactly and it is perfect. It’s better than any store bought dough. My son is loving playing with it. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that you love the recipe!
How long does this store for?
It will last for months! We keep ours in a sealed Ziploc bag in a cupboard. Hope that helps!
I would like to try this at my preschool.
Do you have an idea on how long I can cook it in a microwave or does it have to be on the stove.
I’m not sure…let me do some testing and get back to you!
Is this recipe taste safe? My 15 month old loves to put everything against his mouth or tongue.
Technically, yes it is safe and should not be harmful in small quantities. But I would just watch your little one closely to make sure he doesn’t eat too much!
I tried this today. I replaced the cream of tartar with baking soda since I didn’t have any. It was a lot of fun and turned out great! Thank you so much for this post! I shared my experience on my Instagram @carlotasweb.
What kind of oil is best to use?
I like using vegetable oil.
Thanks for the awesome idea! Quick question can I make this with out cream of tartar? Thanks!
Thank you Angela! The playdough turned out great! I made it with my two and a half year old son , he enjoyed the dumping of dry ingredients into the bowl and was impatient while it was cooking;) He is now enjoying his play!!
Hello! I try to make this recipe, but it is very sticky. I followed every step but I dont know what happened. What can I do to fix it?
I’m so sorry it turned out that way for you! My guess is that it needed to cook longer on the stove. If it’s sticky, I would try kneading more flour into the dough. Once again, I’m sorry it turned out sticky for you!
I work at a Reggio Emilia inspired school and have a class of 13. I would love to make this with my class but I definitely want us to make enough for everyone. How much does 1 recipe make? Thank you so much!
One recipe makes enough for 2 people. I hope that helps!
I would like to try this soon but I was wondering how long it lasts. Since it’s made from food, how long can I let my daughter play with it before throwing it out?
It lasts us several months without putting it in the fridge.