How to Make Jello Playdough
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.
Amazing stuff.note that a big box of jello is 6oz, and a small box is 3oz. You can double the rest of the recipe and share half with a friend.
My grandson is allergic to all purpose flour can corn or rice flour be used instead?
Thank you
Yes! That should work. I haven’t tried it, but I would think it would work as a substitute.
How long will the clay stay good to use? A week, a month?? Thanks!!
It lasts for at least 3 months. Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
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!
I agree about this dough lasting for a long time. I just made another batch after throwing the first one away after having for 2 years
I don’t think I would ever use a different recipe, this one is great!
Yay! So happy to hear this!