We made red play doh for our toddler groups in February in honor of Valentine’s Day.  Our play doh is nontoxic and even “edible.”  It isn’t very “tastey” so most toddlers only taste it once, but it will not hurt if it is ingested.  We have received many requests for our recipe so here it is:

Early Childhood  Home Made Play Doh

2 small packages of unsweetened Kool Aid  (choose flavors with good smells and colors)

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cup salt

3 Tbs. Wesson oil

1 Tbs. Alum (like you use for pickling)

l.  Add 2 cups hot water to above ingredients and mix with spoon -smells soooo good!

2.  Kneed on floured table or bread board

3.  Place in covered container or Zip lock bag

4.  good for 3 weeks

Tip:  in our  “Preschool Prep”  Groups  we use play doh and play doh scissors to introduce  cutting  with  scissors  to  our  older  toddlers.  Cutting  play  doh  is much  easier  than  cutting  paper  and play doh  scissors  are  much  easier to hold than  regular ” kid scissors.”   Our  toddlers  love  it because they feel “grown up” and successful!

Marilee Hartling RN, MFT

Ariko Yoshizawa MA

Child Development Specialist