No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe (2024)

ByAli Wright

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 (1)

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!

No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe (2)

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
No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe (3)

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 (4)

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

    1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
    2. Add the red food coloring and peppermint oil to the boiling water in a separate jug or bowl.
    3. Add the oil to the dry ingredients and then slowly mix in the boiling water.
    4. Stir with a spoon as dough begins to form.
    5. 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;


No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe (9)

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!

  1. 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?

  2. Pingback: Bored kids? Make some Peppermint Playdough!

  3. 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

  4. 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!

Comments are closed.

No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe (2024)

FAQs

No Cook Peppermint Playdough Recipe? ›

In a large mixing bowl – combine your flour, salt, cream of tartar, glitter and oil. Measure out your hot water and add a few drops of peppermint extract & red food coloring to it. Then carefully stir in the hot water mixture to the flour mixture.

How to make peppermint scented playdough? ›

In a large mixing bowl – combine your flour, salt, cream of tartar, glitter and oil. Measure out your hot water and add a few drops of peppermint extract & red food coloring to it. Then carefully stir in the hot water mixture to the flour mixture.

How do you make non cooked playdough? ›

Simple no-cook playdough
  1. A large bowl.
  2. 1 cup of salt.
  3. 2 cups of plain flour.
  4. 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar.
  5. 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
  6. 2 cups of boiling water.
  7. Food colouring (optional)
Oct 12, 2023

What is the secret ingredient in play dough? ›

With this recipe the key is to really make sure you knead the dough well to avoid ending up with an end product that is too sticky or wet. The glycerine is a secret ingredient that makes the playdough extra stretchy and fun!

How do you make scented playdough for kids? ›

  1. Mix the flour and salt in the large bowl. In the smaller bowl, combine 60ml warm water with a few drops of food colouring, and mix in the vegetable oil and essential oil if using. ...
  2. Dust a clean work surface with flour and knead for a few min until smooth and pliable.

What essential oils are good for scented playdough? ›

Some fun essential oils could include: Wild Orange, Peppermint, Lemon, Rosemary, or Lavender essential oil. Combine all ingredients, except for essential oils, in a large saucepan and stir until combined. Once combined, put over medium heat. Using a spatula, continue to stir ingredients together until it forms a ball.

What gives Play-Doh its scent? ›

Hasbro describes the distinctive eau de Play-Doh as a "combination of a sweet, slightly musky, vanilla-like fragrance, with slight overtones of cherry, and the natural smell of a salted, wheat-based dough." Play-Doh has been around since 1956, so generations have grown up with the squishy, colorful toy.

How do you make 3 ingredient playdough? ›

All you need is: 1/4 cup instant pudding mix, 1 cup cornstarch (or more as needed), and 1/3 cup warm water. Hours of fun!!

Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil for playdough? ›

Play dough ingredients

1 tablespoon of oil – I tend to use coconut oil as I love the smell and always have it in. (I could probably write a blog on things I do with coconut oil, but that's for another time.) Any oil will work just fine though, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, even margarine will do the job.

Is there a difference between cook and no cook playdough? ›

There wasn't a huge difference between the final result of cooked and uncooked recipes, but there is one key ingredient you really need to use: cream of tartar, which was a common ingredient in all the recipes that worked well because it keeps DIY playdough from becoming a crumbly mess.

What's the best playdough recipe? ›

how to make the world's best homemade play-doh. You'll need 3 cups of white all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of table salt, 3-4 tablespoons of any cooking oil (start with 3 and add more if necessary), 3 cups HOT water, and food coloring.

What does cream of tartar do in playdough? ›

In fact, baking powder is a mixture of baking soda and cream of tartar. It is slightly acidic, and because of this, it affects the gluten structure of the playdough to make it more elastic. Tartaric acid acts as an emulsifier, so it helps prevent any added oil from separating.

Can I use cornstarch instead of cream of tartar in playdough? ›

The corn starch provides the softness that the cream of tartar would and the lime juice acts as an alternative preservative to salt. Try making this homemade, taste safe, no salt, play dough recipe that is a better alternative for younger toddlers and babies! MATERIALS: 1 cup all purpose flour.

Can you put cinnamon in a playdough? ›

Easy seven ingredient play dough that requires no cooking. Store in an airtight container and the play dough will keep for several weeks. Mix the flour, salt, ground cinnamon, and vegetable oil together. Add the water and essential oil.

Can I add vanilla extract to playdough? ›

Mix flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large pot. Add water and oil. Cook over medium heat until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan (about 5 minutes), stirring constantly. Add vanilla extract (for smell, not taste).

How do you make peppermint fragrance? ›

Crush or muddle fresh peppermint leaves in a glass jar with a tight lid. 2. Cover the leaves with olive or grapeseed oil. Close the jar and shake.

How do you make scented playdough without cream of tartar? ›

No Cream of Tartar Play Dough Recipe
  1. 1 cup of flour.
  2. 1/4 cup of salt.
  3. 3/4 cup of water.
  4. 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
  5. 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
  6. Food coloring.
  7. Any seasonings or scents you would like.
Mar 14, 2023

How do you make scented playdough with Kool Aid? ›

In a pot, combine water, oil, Kool-Aid, and salt. Heat and stir until salt dissolves. Add Flour and cream of tartar all at once to above. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until well mixed and dough forms a ball, (this should only take a couple minutes).

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