Peppermint Playdough Recipe

Peppermint Playdough Recipe

Winter, candy canes, the scent of peppermint! Turn it all into a scented peppermint playdough, perfect for preschool winter or Christmas activities.

Supplies:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract (Use peppermint extract if you want a taste-safe version)
• Red food coloring (optional)

How to Make Peppermint Playdough

Watch the Video:

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
Begin by adding the flour, salt, cornstarch, and cream of tartar to a medium saucepan. Stir the dry ingredients to combine.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Pour in the water, vegetable oil, and peppermint oil or extract to the dry mixture. Place the saucepan over medium heat, and stir the mixture frequently for 4-5 minutes until a dough ball forms.

Step 3: Cool the Dough
Remove the saucepan from the heat and place the dough ball on a piece of parchment paper to cool.

Step 4: Optional Add Coloring
If you want to make the playdough festive, wait until it’s cool enough to handle, then add 8-10 drops of red food coloring. Knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed.

💡 Make two batches, one with color and one without, to create candy canes!

Step 5: Once the dough is completely cool, it’s ready for play! To keep it fresh, store the playdough in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

STORAGE TIP: When stored properly in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator, peppermint playdough can last for about 1-2 weeks. If it starts to dry out, you can knead in a little bit of water or oil to restore its softness. However, always check for any signs of spoilage before using it again.

Tips For Making The Best Peppermint Playdough

1. Peppermint Oil vs. Extract: If using peppermint essential oil, be mindful that it’s not taste-safe. For a taste-safe version, opt for peppermint extract.
2. Medium Heat is Key: Keep the heat at medium when cooking the playdough to avoid overcooking, which can make the dough too tough.
3. Continuous Stirring: Stir the mixture continuously while it cooks to ensure even heating and to prevent sticking.
4. Coloring Tips: Gel-based food coloring works well for vibrant colors without affecting the dough’s consistency.
5. Avoid Overcooking: Remove the dough from the heat as soon as it forms a ball to prevent it from becoming too dry.
6. Involve Kids: To make the experience more engaging, let your children help with safe parts of the process, like stirring or adding the coloring.
7. Storage: Always store the playdough in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. If you notice it drying, knead in a little vegetable oil or water.
8. Clean Up: Clean surfaces after play to avoid lingering peppermint scents or food coloring stains.

Fun Things To Do With Peppermint Playdough

Here are some fun, holiday-themed ways to extend the playtime with peppermint playdough:

1. Candy Cane Creations: Encourage kids to roll the dough into long, thin ropes and twist them together to make candy cane shapes.
2. Holiday Stamping: Use holiday-themed cookie cutters, like stars or snowflakes, to create festive shapes.
3. Peppermint Play Bakery: Set up a pretend bakery where kids can use the playdough to make peppermint cookies, cakes, and other treats.
4. Winter Playdough Mats: Use peppermint playdough with our winter playdough mats or mitten mats!

Free Printable Christmas Playdough Mats

Grab our free printable Math worksheets below to practice numbers 1 to 10 with Christmas playdough…

More Fun Festive Sensory Activities

Check out all our Christmas sensory activities including…

• Gingerbread Playdough
• Cinnamon Playdough
• Christmas Playdough
• Peppermint Oobleck
• Hot Chocolate Cloud Dough
• Chocolate Playdough
• Snowman In A Bag
• Christmas Sensory Bins
• Christmas Cloud Dough

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