From squishy, colorful doughs that encourage creativity, to aromatic playclays infused with calming lavender. These play doughs can use refreshing citrus or homemade concoctions that are perfect for sparking imagination. You can even customize them with natural ingredients like cocoa powder for a chocolatey scent. Just like I did here in this past blog post:

How to Make Chocolate Play-dough

The popularity of my original Chocolate Taste-Safe Playdough Recipe and lesson plan sparks this post! When #MySweetandSticky was learning about brushing and flossing, we used Chocolate Playdough!

Read all about it HERE: Teaching Toddlers about Brushing Teeth

Not only are these recipes fun and safe, but they also provide a wonderful opportunity for sensory exploration. Allow children to develop fine motor skills as they knead, roll, and shape their creations. Remember, the joy of play is in the process, so experiment with different ingredients to discover new favorites!

Taste-Safe Playdough Recipe Ebook on Etsy!

Grab my printable Ebook so you can make them all!

RECIPE EBOOK | 20 Taste Safe Play Dough Combinations | Digital Recipe Book

20 Taste-Safe Playdough Recipes

1. Classic Salt Dough Playdough: Combine 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/2 cup of water in a bowl. Mix until the dough forms, adding food coloring if desired.
2. Peanut Butter Playdough: Mix 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup of powdered milk, and 1/2 cup of honey until smooth. This dough is not only safe but edible too!
3. Marshmallow Playdough: Melt 6 large marshmallows and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch in a microwave for 30 seconds. Stir in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and knead until it forms a dough.
4. Jell-O Playdough: Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1 packet of Jell-O with 1 cup of boiling water. Stir until smooth and let it cool before use.
5. Kool-Aid Playdough: In a bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 packet of Kool-Aid, 2/3 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Mix until the dough is formed.
6. Yogurt Playdough: Blend 1 cup of plain yogurt with 3/4 cup of cornstarch. Knead until a dough forms, adding more cornstarch if needed for firmness.
7. Oatmeal Playdough: Mix 1 part flour, 1 part water, and 2 parts oatmeal until a dough consistency is achieved. This one is great for texture play!
8. Pumpkin Spice Playdough: Combine 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice, and 1/2 cup of water. Mix and knead until smooth.
9. Baby Rice Cereal Playdough: Use 1 cup of baby rice cereal, 1 cup of cornstarch, and 1/2 cup of applesauce. Knead to form a dough that is perfect for toddlers.
10. Chocolate Playdough: Blend 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1/2 cup of water for a chocolatey scent and color.
11. Rice Flour Playdough: Mix 1 cup of rice flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, 1 tablespoon of oil, and 1 cup of water. Cook over medium heat until it forms a dough.
12. Cinnamon Playdough: Combine 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of oil, and 1/2 cup of water. Knead until smooth.
13. Gelatin Playdough: Use 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1 packet of gelatin. Add 1 cup of boiling water and mix.
14. Honey Playdough: Mix 1 cup of honey with 1 cup of peanut butter and 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. Knead until smooth and non-sticky.
15. Nut-Free Sunbutter Playdough: Use 1 cup of sunbutter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and 1/2 cup of dry milk powder. Mix until a dough forms.
16. Coconut Playdough: Combine 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and 1/2 cup of warm water. Mix and knead until smooth.
17. Edible Chocolate Chip Playdough: Mix 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup of water.
18. Vanilla Playdough: Use 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar, 1 tablespoon of oil, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract with 1/2 cup of water.
19. Mint Chocolate Playdough: Blend 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract with 1/2 cup of water.
20. Lavender Playdough: Combine 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar, 1 tablespoon of oil, and a few drops of lavender essential oil with 1/2 cup of water.

3 Reasons to make your own play dough at home:

Cost-Effective: Making playdough at home is significantly cheaper than buying it from the store. With just a few common household ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring, you can produce a large batch at a fraction of the cost of commercial playdough.

Customizable: When you make your own playdough, you have complete control over the textures, colors, and even scents. This means you can create playdough in your child’s favorite colors or add essential oils, enhancing the sensory experience.

Non-Toxic and Safe: Homemade playdough is generally safer than many store-bought options, especially if you choose to use natural ingredients. This is particularly important for young children who may be prone to putting things in their mouths. Knowing exactly what goes into your playdough provides peace of mind regarding its safety.

Welcome to Mom School!

This post is one of many Homeschool Preschool Lessons with #MySweetandSticky {Cash & Wyatt}. As a former educator, I wanted to give them their best start before heading into public schools. (Which we LOVE!) On occasion, and throughout the summer, we continue our At-Home Learning. Join us for every Sweet & Sticky moment.

Read all about:

• Mom School & Building your At-Home Classroom
• The Literacy Corner
• The Mess Mat Follow our Hashtag #TheMessMat
• Sensory Play