Edible Play Dough Recipes
Contributed by
Mary Ann Ross and Kimberly Lainson

These "edible" recipes for play dough are perfect for pre-school children that love to eat their art supplies and for us "older" children to join them and play and eat, too. Let the children help mix the dough because oh how they love to get their hands into mushy stuff (and this is a whole lot better than mud and dirt).

A great thing about a play dough activity is that it allows children to experience different textures and use four out of their five senses. Encourage creativity by putting out cookie cutters, little bowls, lids from jars, measuring spoons... and add to their fun by giving them Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, colored cake decorating sprinkles/dots, chocolate chips, ice cream cones and other such items. To help them in their play-acting, give them Graham Cracker teddy bears and animal crackers.

I suggest covering a play area surface with waxed paper and let the children have a good time both creating and eating… but be sure to give them some ideas and examples to get them started!

Enjoy these fun projects with your children by letting "your" imagination be your guide…

be an "un-grownup", it's great fun!

KOOL-AID PLAY DOUGH
This play dough is colorful and has a wonderful fragrance too. The kids just love it!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup salt
• 2-1/2 cups flour
• 2 packages Kool-Aid
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups boiling water

JELL-O PLAY DOUGH

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
• 1 (3-1/2-oz.) package "unsweetened" Jell-O

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until consistency of mashed potatoes. Let cool and knead with floured hands until dry.

Storage:
This recipe needs to cool completely "before" storing it in an airtight container!

Note:
The items made from this play dough recipe can be painted when they are dry.

OATMEAL DOUGH:

Ingredients:

• 1 part flour
• 2 parts oatmeal
• 1 part water

Directions:
Mix ingredients together and form into shapes.

Note:
The items made from this play dough recipe can be painted when they are dry.

CREAM CHEESE PLAY DOUGH

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. package of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup non-fat dry milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Crackers or bread slices

Directions:
Combine cream cheese, milk and honey in a bowl and mix until well blended. Mold sculptures on wax paper.

Storage:
Unused portions MUST BE STORED in an airtight container and kept refrigerated!! Because cream cheese is perishable, use the expiration date on the cream cheese package as your guide for how long you can keep this play dough.

Note:
The shapes can then be placed on crackers or bread slices, decorated with edibles (celery or carrot slivers, raisins, dried fruit pieces, nuts, or seeds for a healthy snack! …then EAT!

PEANUT BUTTER/
GRAHAM CRACKER
PLAY DOUGH
CAUTION: Some children are allergic to peanut butter!!!!!  (I’ve listed this recipe so you can help your child experience their senses)

Ingredients:

• Equal amounts of Peanut Butter and Marshmallow Creme
• Graham Crackers

Directions:
1) Allow children to crumble up Graham Crackers into crumbs, then set these aside. Let them have just a little touch of the Marshmallow Creme and a little touch of peanut butter to feel the different textures and to lick off their fingers. (washing hands before project start is a good idea...)

2) Mix the peanut butter and Marshmallow Creme together and have the children notice the change in texture.

3) Cover surface area with wax paper or use a breadboard, let children make into shapes.

GIRL SCOUT PEANUT BUTTER PLAY DOUGH

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, using your hands. Dough should feel soft and pliable. Form shapes and be creative!!

FROSTING PLAY DOUGH
Warning: this recipe contains peanut butter, too, and some children are allergic to peanut butter!

Storage:
When not using, MUST be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. Next time you want to use it, let it come to room temperature for pliable dough.

PEANUT BUTTER PLAY DOUGH

Ingredients:
One 18-oz jar creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons honey
3/4 cup non-fat dry milk

Directions:
Mix ingredients together, using varying amounts of dry milk for desired consistencies. Knead it with fingers, forming into desired shapes, adding other foods like M&M's or peanuts for eyes, mouths, etc. Great fun! (Thanks to lisamh@texas.net (Lisa M.H.))

CHOCOLATE
PLAY DOUGH

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1/4 cup plus one tablespoon light corn syrup

Directions:
Melt the chocolate in a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water (a double boiler). Stir the chocolate with a spoon until smooth, then stir in the corn syrup. The chocolate will stiffen almost immediately but stir until completely combined. Transfer the chocolate to a sturdy plastic bag and refrigerate until firm; the consistency will be that of Play Dough.

When firm, the dough can be worked by kneading. If it is too hard, cut off small pieces and knead until pliable. If the dough sticks to the counter when rolling, lightly spray counter or breadboard with vegetable spray or lightly grease with a vegetable oil.

2) Make ribbons to cover the cake. To do this, pat your dough into a disk shape and roll dough out to desired thickness using a rolling pin or else use a manual pasta machine.

3) Flowers, too!

Compliments of www.joyofbaking.com

CHOCOLATE CLAY

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces chocolate, almond bard or candy discs
• 1/3 cup corn syrup

Directions:
Slowly melt candy and stir until smooth. Add syrup and blend thoroughly. Pour onto waxed paper and spread with fingers until about 1/2 inch thick. Cover loosely with waxed paper and allow it to stiffen (couple of hours). Then play and eat.

To make flower petals, roll out little balls and flatten them, then pinch the petals together and these make wonderful "I Love You" gifts, even if it isn't Valentine's Day.

Compliments of Kim Swanger

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