Fall Playdough for Kids (Easy No Cook)

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It’s that time of year! The leaves are changing colors, the air has a chill in it, and pumpkins are showing up everywhere! We love this time of year! So, I couldn’t help it I had to take our classic playdough recipe and put a Fall spin on it! You might just love this Fall playdough for kids, as much as your littles will! It’s easy! Best of all there’s no cream of tartar and no cooking!

Orange playdough in sensory box with leaf confetti, fall foil confetti, wooden pumpkins, and acorns for Fall playdough for kids.

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Why Make Your Own Playdough

So why should you make your own playdough?

  • Easy – This recipe is seriously so easy to make. It doesn’t have any cream of tartar and you don’t even need to cook it! This is a great time to get those little ones involved in the kitchen!
  • Affordable – Making your own playdough is cheaper than buying it from the store.
  • Have on hand – Generally we have all the ingredients needed to whip up a batch of playdough!
  • Customizable – You can create any colors you want, you can add glitter or other foil confetti, and I love being able to add whatever essential oils I want to!
  • Nontoxic – In addition, by making your own playdough, you know the exact ingredients in it and can keep it nontoxic for those little hands!
  • Gluten free option – You can also use this recipe with gluten free flour for those that are sensitive or have a gluten allergy!
  • Natural – since this recipe only contains natural ingredients, from the oil to the food coloring used, there’s nothing to worry about!
Fall playdough for kids in a sensory table with fall theme sensory items.

PIN FOR LATER

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Fall Playdough for Kids Recipe

Ingredients for Fall Playdough for Kids

  • 2.5 cups gluten free flour or regular flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 tsp of vegetable powder or you can use 1 packet of these food colorings
    • yellow = turmeric powder
    • orange = carrot powder
    • red = red beet powder
  • 3TBSP of fractionated coconut oil
  • 1 cup of water
  • 20 drops of Kidsafe Autumn Blooms Essential Oil Blend or first combine to make your own essential oil blend. Variations are listed below.
  • 1 TBSP of glitter or foil confetti (optional)

Instructions for Fall Playdough for Kids

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, and glitter or foil confetti, if using.

Child pouring glitter into flour and salt mixture in metal bowl.

Step 2: Then in a separate glass bowl combine fractionated coconut oil with desired essential oil. Mix to combine well.

Child putting essential oil drops into coconut oil.

Step 3: Then add the vegetable powder or packet of food coloring and water to the coconut oil and essential oil mixture. Stir well to combine.

Child pouring liquid food coloring into essential oil and coconut oil mixture.

Step 4: Finally, add the essential oil mixture to the large mixing bowl of flour, salt, and glitter. Mix well using hands.

Child pouring liquid mixture into flour mixture for making Fall playdough for kids.

Other Scent Variations of Fall Playdough for Kids

If you want to make more than one scent of playdough here are a few other options you can use. All of the essential oils listed below are Kidsafe by Plant Therapy. Kidsafe is for use with children age 2 and older.

Fall Essential Oil Blends (Kidsafe)

Premade Blends (Kidsafe)

If you want them all check out these sets:

Child holding set of 3 essential oils from Fall line from Plant Therapy.

How to Store Homemade Playdough

This playdough is best stored in a glass dish because of the use of essential oils. I just use my Pyrex glass food storage containers that are airtight. This playdough has stored well for at least 6 weeks. You could also use beeswax wrap and then place inside of an airtight container that is plastic or a plastic bag. Another option is a mason jar with lid. Keeping it in an airtight container keeps it from drying out. If you do notice it drying out, slowly add more fractioned coconut oil and knead with hands until desired consistency.

Orange fall playdough stored in mason jar.

Favorite Playdough Accessories

There are so many fun accessories to use with this playdough that I wanted to share some with you that we love and some I might just have to purchase!

Fall Playdough for Kids Activities

DIY Fall Playdough Kit

So this might sound crazy but grab a tackle box. Yes, a tackle box! And a few Fall craft supplies from the store and fill up the little compartments! You can add things like miniature pumpkins, acorns, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, leaves, buttons, and mini cookie cutters. Also, you could add some pumpkin seeds or popcorn kernels too! This is sure to be so much fun for your little ones! It’s easy to do and will bring hours of sensory play! Here’s one I put together recently! Please remember to use parental supervision when using any small parts that could be swallowed by little ones.

Tackle box on table with different fall items for a DIY fall playdough kit for kids.

Free Fall Playdough Mats

Another great option is to use playdough mats! I just added some more free printables to my printable library! And these adorable Fall playdough mats are on there! If you don’t already have access to all my free printables, just drop your e-mail below to get signed up!

Child playing with free scarecrow playdough mat.

Playdough Stamps with Nature

Additionally, you could go on a nature walk and collect different items! Rocks, leaves, acorns, pinecones, and grab a pumpkin or two. Then stamp the nature items into your homemade playdough! This is a great way to explore nature with your little ones and enjoy everything Fall has to offer!

Playdough Gifting

How adorable would little mason jars with a few Fall craft supplies like foil confetti, fall leaves confetti, wooden pumpkins, and acorns be for a gift?

Mason jar playdough gift set in Fall theme.

Frequently Asked Playdough Questions

Q: How can I refresh harden playdough?

A: Simply add 1 tsp at a time of more fractionated coconut oil, until the desired consistency.

Q: My playdough is sticky, what do I need to do?

A: Slowly add more flour until the desired consistency.

Q: Does this food coloring stain?

A: Due to the natural state of these vegetable powders, they can stain clothing.

Q: Can I use another essential oil blend?

A: Yes. You can use any essential oils you desire.

Q: What is fractionated coconut oil?

A: It’s coconut oil that has been separated and allows it to stay in liquid form.

Fall Playdough for Kids (Easy No Cook)

Fall Playdough for Kids (Easy No Cook)

Have fun making this easy, no cook, Fall playdough for kids!
Use in a sensory bin with some Fall cookie cutters for added fun!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups gluten free flour or regular flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 tsp of vegetable powder or you can use 1 packet of these food colorings
  • 3TBSP of fractionated coconut oil
  • 1 cup of water
  • 20 drops of Kidsafe Autumn Blooms Essential Oil Blend or other essential oil
  • 1 TBSP of glitter or foil confetti (optional)

Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, and
    glitter or foil confetti, if using.

    2. Then in a separate glass bowl combine fractionated
    coconut oil with desired essential oil. (If you're using a DIY essential oil blend, be sure to premix those and then add for this recipe). Mix to combine well.

    3. Then add the vegetable powder or packet of food
    coloring and water to the coconut oil and essential oil mixture. Stir well to combine.

    4. Finally, add the essential oil mixture to the large
    mixing bowl of flour, salt, and glitter. Mix well using hands.



Notes

  • Depending on the flour you use the playdough may feel tacky if so, add 1 TBSP of flour until desired consistency.
  • Almond oil has also worked in this recipe.
  • If you're using a DIY essential oil blend that was mentioned in the post, premix to create the blend before adding in step 2.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Lastly, be sure to leave a review after you try out this Fall playdough for kids! I can’t wait to hear how your little ones are loving it!

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