Homemade Playdough: A Rainbow of Kool-Aid Colors
If you read Monday’s post (So Many Ways to Play with Playdough) or Tuesday’s post (Playdough in Play Therapy) you might have noticed that we took the Playdough Pledge this week.
It’s an online playdate hosted by Nurturestore, The Imagination Tree, and Sun Hats and Wellie Boots to try something different while playing with playdough with your kids this week! I had always wanted to make Kool-Aid playdough … so this gave me the perfect motivation to try it. I started off from the original source of my motivation … Microwave Kool Aid Playdough from The Chocolate Muffin Tree … and took it from there!
The Recipe
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 packet of Kool-Aid
Mix all the ingredients in a large sauce pan. Use medium to low heat on the stove to heat the mixture. Stir until very well blended. The mixture will become a more “solid” (like playdough!) consistency when ready to be removed from the stove. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool (although kneading it while it’s still a bit warm feels amazingly good on arthritic hands!) knead the dough for a smooth consistency.
I like this method because the kids really like to help me use the stove and the stove method seems to help get the playdough the right consistency and not too sticky. The recipe is simple and quick to make … also perfect when little hands are helping!
Well, the hard work and fun paid off …
They all came out great and still have a bit of the scent to them … but the Grape especially is very fragrant. It makes me think I’m playing with a big hunk of grape bubble gum!
Laura Hutchison
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HI I WA S JUST WONDER WERE WOULD I BUY KOOL AID I LIVE IN IRELAND
Hmmm, Susan. I’m not sure. They are at every supermarket and grocery here! Do you have any type of flavored drink packet in Ireland? That’s all Kool-Aid is!
I am the same live in the UK and can not find Kool-aid alternative anywhere 🙁 any inspiration anyone this looks so cool!
Could you order it from Amazon? I just checked and they actually sell it! Here’s a link for a variety pack of 48! http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Aid-Variety-48-Packs/dp/B0019MMQXM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339940458&sr=8-1&keywords=kool+aid
I didn’t have Kool-aid so I used the contents of a cherry-flavored Jello 3 oz box! It worked great! I heard any flavored powdered drink should do.
If you don’t have kool-aid try Jello.
Nice post! Wanted to know if there is an alternative to Cream of Tartar.
Substitute for cream of tar tar is white wine vinegar or lemon juice in 3 times the ratio to the cream of tartar requirement.
I do not have access to kool aid, what alternatives may I use?
I think this would be a great idea to make with students to teach them to use the play dough like a stress ball. Is there any way around having to use a stove?
Definitely! You can find lots of no-cook play dough recipes online.
It was very easy to do.
How long does the dough last?
A couple months – depending on how much it is used. You can also keep it in the fridge or freezer if you’d like it to last longer.
So I hope this helps my fellow mums out there….I’ve experimented with this play dough as this is my fave recipe…if you can’t find or dont have Kool-Aid, you can use any packet of substance used to flavor water with the same smell and effect : IE) crystal light or WalMart off brand lol (same measurement too) or when your boiling the ingredients you can use the liquid substance too: IE) Mio or off brand (still same measurement) although the liquid isn’t my favorite option, the crystal lights can be fun…I have a 3yr old girl, I threw in some glitter too and she squealed with excitement for days….again this recipe is by far my fave ever❤
Thanks for the comment! I’m glad it’s such a big hit!
How much will your recipe make? Making this for my first grade class.
It makes approximately a quart size plastic bag full.
Wow! I thought kool-aid was universal… We made this recipe just yesterday and it was easy, entretaining, inexpensive and the result is fun for hours. Thank you Dr. Mom 🙂
Doesn’t the Kool Aide stain their little hands?
It does stain a bit when you make it, but not afterwards.