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 wanted to say that I made this playdough over 2 years ago and we just barely threw it out because it finally dried out. It’s been AWESOME. Makes a ton of playdough and lasts forever. I covered each one in plastic wrap and then placed in a plastic bag and they stayed soft for such a long time. I came back on here to find the recipe so we can make them again. Thank you!
That is awesome to hear! It is my absolute favorite recipe!
Turned out great, I used coconut oil, smells amazing!
Wonderful idea to use coconut oil! Thanks for sharing!
Amazing thanks a lot for this recipe
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.
What size jello box, big, or small?
Sorry I didn’t clarify. It’s a small box.
How long does it keep for.
It keeps for 1-2 months.
Hi. I have a question. What kind of oil do you use?
Hi!
I love your play dough recipe. It’s perfect! We have used it for birthday parties and I just shared it with my son’s school. Such a great and lasting product and pretty safe, I love it. So wonderful to have moms like you out there helping the rest of us make these wonderful things for our kids. Thanks so much…
LH
So made this, awesome until it went mouldy after only a week?? How come has anyone else had this problem?
I’m so sorry to hear this! I’m trying to think of why that would have happened. Ours last for several months. The cream of tartar and salt should preserve it. Was there extra moisture on the playdough, like water? Once again, I’m sorry it didn’t work well for you!
We made some this morning! Was easy, and a great success, plus it smells yummy with the jello! Thank you for putting this post together!
thea.
x
I have made this recipe several times and simply love it! I have made it both with sugar free and regular jello and found that while both worked great the regular got moldy after a couple of weeks while the other did not. I have also made this with an all purpose gluten free flour and it worked just fine.
Just made this with Mango flavored Jell-O (not sugar free), olive oil, and self rising flour. It came out beautifully, however the olive oil turned it a very unappealing color so I added a little gel food coloring while mixing. The result is absolutely wonderful! It is very smooth and would have smelled wonderful if I had used vegetable oil (I was out), so it smells like olive oil with a hint of mango. My spirited 2-year-old is in love! I’ll never buy play dough again. ****A tip to those of you who can’t get it to thicken, just let it sit without stirring for a moment. Not too long, just a minute, then try stirring again. I also kneaded it with a little more flour and it turned out wonderfully. Thank you for this recipe!!!
Hi,
I tried this recipe twice and both times it turned out clumpy and not as smooth as your photo. There are more dry ingredients than wet. I followed your instructions to a T. I used a whisk, but it all got clumped in the whisk and I had to use a spatula to scrap everything out. Then I used a spatula to stir, but still it was just too dry. Should I add more liquid? What am I doing wrong?? 🙁
Oh no! I am SO sorry to hear that! I have made it many times and never had that problem. I wonder if the heat is too high on your stove? Or what size package is your jello? It should be the small sugar-free package. I am sorry that you have wasted ingredients trying this recipe out. I hope it turns out for you next time!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I DIDN’T USE THE SUGAR FREE JELLO BUT IT WORKED WONDERFUL. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT RECIPE FOR YEARS AND I FOUND IT THANKS TO YOU. I SHARED YOUR LINK ON THE HOMESCHOOL’S BLOG FOR THIS RECIPE. MY HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES WILL LOVE THIS TOO. THE SMELL FROM THE JELLO LASTS FOR EVER. I DIDN’T USE THE NAME BRAND JELLO EITHER AND IT WORKED GREAT. MY KIDS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR 3 DAYS NOW AND IT HASN’T DRIED OUT. WE USE COOKIE CUTTERS, BUTTONS, SEQUENCES, WITH OUR PLAYDOUGH. THANKS SO MUCU. I LOVE YOUR IDEAS. ALSO I MIGHT ADD A LITTLE GRAPESEED OIL OR SOME OTHER OIL TO KEEP BACTERIA DOWN.
Kids in Action Homeschool recently posted…PLAYDOUGH RECIPE
What happens if you leave the oil out?
Hmm I am not sure since I have never tried. It may be dry?
Hi,
I tried this but it is sticking. Tried cooking for 10-12 minutes but still sticks. I don’t have cream of tartar so use gelatine. Can u tell me what’s causing the issue?
I am so sorry this is not working for you! I have not made it without Cream of Tartar. My guess is that’s why it is not working. Have you tried adding extra flour?
Make sure it’s the 3oz package. I bought a box of jello that’s only 0.6oz and it becomes super soft 🙁
I’m so sorry! I didn’t know it came in that small of a package.
Angela Thayer recently posted…P is for Penguins — Letter P Printables
Just made this yesterday because the kids were going stir crazy still not being able to go outside because of the cold weather. It is fabulous! So easy! Smells great and is so nice and soft and smooth. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe.
Thank you so much for sharing this. We made this today and we are never going to buy play dough again. It is so soft and my son loved it. We have been trying a lot of your projects, I bought your eBook and I absolutely love it. My son goes to Montessori and it is really good to use some of the activities in your book while at home. Thank you.
Tabby
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thank you for making my day 🙂
Only had whole wheat flour and it was too dry so added water then too sticky.
Oh no! I am sorry. I have not tried whole wheat flour for this recipe! Hope you will try it again sometime!
I kneaded some extra flour after cooking it to keep it from sticking. What a great activity, especially during this COLD winter weather!
Good!! I had to do that the last time I made a batch, too. Glad to hear it worked out for you!
This stuff is amazing! I just made a few batches for my little guy to try and I’m probably a little more excited about it than I should be! I love that I don’t have to worry about him eating some of it!
Hi there!
Love this idea! I’m in the middle of trying it out right now and I can’t seem to bring it to a place where it doesn’t stick to my fingers! I’ve been cooking for some time now.. any advice?
Sorry, this is probably too late to help! I let mine cook until it did not stick to my fingers. If that doesn’t work, then try kneading in some flour. Hope that helps!
What size Jello did you use? I am assuming the small box.
I used the small box. 🙂
How long does this play dough last?
I have had mine for 5+ months and it is still great. It smells wonderful and has not dried out at all. I keep them in an air-tight container.
The play dough recipe is AWESOME! I didn’t have cream of tartar so I subbed with baking powder and it worked beautifully!
I just tried making the jello play dough today. I can’t believe how easy it was…and it smells great! I used the regular jello though, not the sugar free type…I wonder if it would attract ants… we’ll see! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Shirl L recently posted…Puppet Making
Ooh, I just had my boys played with them and they loved it! I love it too, that the fact it doesn’t leave “flour” residue on the hands unlike some of the play dough recipe… only a hint of oil… can’t emphasise how much I love the sweet scent!
Shirl L recently posted…Puppet Making
Hello, I just have a question about the recipe for play dough, what is tartar cream??
I just made this for the twins I nanny and they love it. What is the life expectancy for it?
So happy to hear this! I tested this out and mine is STILL good from the time I made it for this post! So I guess 3+ months. I kept some in the fridge and it did not hold up well…it was clumpy and was not very moldable. So I suggest keeping it in an air-tight container and it should last! Enjoy! 🙂
I’ve made this for my 2-year-old. It comes out so smooth and the scent was fantastic. (I made orange!) We became busy with family vacation and other things while it was stored in our fridge. After the older kids (9-14) started school, I got it out again. I was amazed that it was still very usable. It remained smooth, didn’t harden and still had scent, though not as strong. (I stored it in an air-tight bag.)
Now to make some other colors. I’m trying blue, green, purple, and red. She’s excited!
I’ve made this playdough and it came out really well mixing the recipe with boiling warer with a spoon, kneading, cooling slightly and then playing with instantly. Saved all the hassle with a saucepan!
do the kids’ hands get colored? I couldn’t tell from the photos.
Nope, not at all. I love that part!
I love this! What a fun recipe and I bet it smells fantastic!!
Thanks for sharing your creativity & linking up to TGIF!
I featured your post today on TGIF here (http://www.123homeschool4me.com/2013/08/tgif-linky-party-91.html) I hope you’ll pop over and link up again later today.
Have a great weekend,
Beth
Beautiful colors!
Did you use the recipe to make all 3 colors?
Good question. I used this recipe for just 1 color. So I made 3 batches 🙂
Angela Thayer recently posted…Week in Review
Is that plain flour or self raising flour?
Just plain flour.
Does the jell-o give this play dough a different texture than regular homemade play dough? I usually use kool-aid and am wondering if this would be different?
I think it is smoother than kool-aid playdough. I do not think it is significantly different.
Looks like we had the same idea this week i did a DIY Kool-Aid play Dough recipe post 🙂 love this idea too!
Danielle, The Frugal Navy Wife recently posted…DIY Kool Aid Play Dough
This looks so inviting! I pinned your post to my Playdough and Craft Recipes Board at http://pinterest.com/debchitwood/playdough-craft-recipes/
Deb @ Living Montessori Now recently posted…Free Police Printables and Montessori-Inspired Police Activities
This play dough has great color! I will pin it and be back! Thanks for sharing at TMTP!
I love this — I’ll have to see if I can create a version for my gluten-free boy 🙂
Amy recently posted…a cardboard box is fun
Try the recipe I found on another web site. It only uses corn flour (starch) and some hair conditioner… add coloring or not. And no cooking is involved. Other fun recipes are also found here.
http://pagingfunmums.com/2014/01/07/summer-lemon-playdough/
What a fun idea! Quick question for you . . . do I need to use sugar free jello or can I use the regular kind? Thank you!
Hi Sarah! I am not sure if the regular kind works. I only use the sugar free kind. Let me know if you try it out!
Angela Thayer recently posted…Week in Review
I just made it with Regular Jello and it turned out great! 🙂
Awesome to know! I was going to ask the same question. I can’t wait to make this!
Good to know ! I’m living in a very small town ( I don’t even think this is a town) and there was only like 3 sort of sugar-free jello so I’m super happy if the regular work too, I’ll be able to do more color. Kids are super happy and so am I because regular play dough is kindda giving me eczema on the hands because of the colouring. This won’t do and it smells sooooooo good ! Thank you ! 🙂
How long can you use it before it goes off
This play dough lasts for several months.
I’ve heard of making it with koolaid too:)