The holidays are an exciting time for children of all ages. Setting up a festive invitation to play with this deliciously smelling No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe is a great way to focus their attention and channel their excitement.
No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe
The (not-so) secret ingredient in our homemade peppermint playdough is peppermint essential oil. If you don’t have peppermint oil, substitute a cup of strongly brewed peppermint tea in the place of the boiling water included in the recipe. As we shared in our Best Scented Playdough Recipe herbal tea adds a wonderful scent to playdough, extending the sensory play potential of a batch of fresh playdough. You can find (and print) the step-by-step no cook peppermint playdough recipe below.
RELATED: For more homemade playdough inspiration, check out this collection of twelve homemade playdough recipes.
A Christmas Invitation to Play
An invitation to play delights my 4 year old. She is the one who always says “Muuummmm, I don’t know what to do.” A simple invitation to play stops her complaints of boredom and keeps her happily engaged for quite some time. Now that the Christmas decorations have hit the shops my little one is full of Christmas spirit…. it’s the perfect time for a Christmas-themed invitation to play!
Over time I have got better at setting up invitations to play. I used to include far too many materials, which is all a bit overwhelming for small children. Now I stick to 3 to 5 materials which seems to be just right.
For our Christmas invitation to play I included:
- A batch of red peppermint playdough (recipe below)
- Red and white striped chenille stems/pipe cleaners
- Gold cardboard stars
- Small glitter styrofoam balls
- Christmas themed cookie cutters
A Christmas Playdough Gift
While you are whipping up a batch of peppermint playdough for your own children, make a second batch and package it up as a gift.
Cover the playdough in cling wrap and pop it into a pretty container. Decorate the jar with ribbon and add a Christmas cookie cutter. Playdough makes a perfect Christmas gift for a preschooler.
No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe
This no cook peppermint playdough recipe is perfect for festive sensory play at home or school.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
DifficultyEasy
Materials
- 2 cups of plain flour
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 1/3 cups of boiling water
- 5-10 drops of red food coloring
- 5-10 drops of peppermint oil* see note for substitution suggestion
Tools
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Large mixing bowl
- Glass jug or second mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
Instructions
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the red food coloring and peppermint oil to the boiling water in a separate jug or bowl.
- Add the oil to the dry ingredients and then slowly mix in the boiling water.
- Stir with a spoon as dough begins to form.
- When the mixture has cooled slightly turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough until all ingredients are combined and it has a smooth texture.
Notes
- Variation: If you don’t have peppermint oil substitute a cup of strongly brewed peppermint tea in place of boiling water.
- Homemade playdough is best stored wrapped securely in an airtight plastic bag in a cool, dry place.
More Christmas inspired sensory play ideas;
Ali Wright
Ali Wright is mum to two young mini makers – their favourite place to be is around the craft table with glitter in their hair. Ali's focus is on process oriented art as she loves watching her kids experiment with creative materials. When not busy with art and craft, you'll likely find them at work and play in their small city garden. As the mini makers love a good mess, their days include lots of water and messy play!
This is just lovely! I can’t wait to try this. I think my five year old and three year old will love it, if I make it and set it out after school one day next week. Maybe the friendship elves will set it all up for them?
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i just did the recipe i have 3 1/2 yr that gets bored very easily when it rains she is now occupied this is a wonder recipe thank you
Oh this is great. I was just about to go and make some Christmas play dough and swung by here before I got off the internet! I’ll be adding peppermint to the recipe now!
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