Create vibrant, non-toxic playdough with our easy Jello playdough recipe! Fun for kids and made with simple ingredients from your kitchen.

Skills Required: None. This is perfect for kids of all ages, from toddlers to elementary age and older. No one needs any prior crafting skills.

Hello friends! If you’re on the hunt for a fun, colorful, and safe craft project to do with your kids, you’ve landed in the right place. Today I’m sharing a super fun and easy activity: making Jello playdough!

Not only is this playdough recipe a fantastic way to keep the little ones entertained, but it also uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

There’s something magical about this playdough, as you’ll discover when you make it. The bright colors, the fruity scents, and the squishy texture make it an instant hit with kids of all ages.

Plus, the addition of Jell-O gives the playdough a delightful smell, adding an extra sensory dimension to playtime. This recipe is also non-toxic, so you can feel good about letting your kids explore their creativity.

Why do kids love playdough so much? It’s all about the endless possibilities! With, they can mold, shape, and create to their heart’s content.

It’s a wonderful way to encourage imaginative play, and it’s great for developing fine motor skills, too. Rolling, squishing, and sculpting the dough helps strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers, which is essential for tasks like writing and buttoning clothes.

Now, let’s talk about this recipe. You’ll need a few basic supplies: Jell-O packets in various flavors, flour, salt, cream of tartar, canola oil, and boiling water. The process is straightforward – mix, stir, and knead until you have a smooth, colorful dough that’s ready for play.

This recipe makes a generous amount of playdough, perfect for classrooms, daycares, or just for a fun day at home. And don’t worry if you end up with leftovers – you can store the playdough to keep it fresh for future play sessions.

So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down to get the full recipe and step-by-step instructions.

Gather your ingredients, and let’s get ready to make some colorful, soft, and wonderfully scented Jello playdough. Happy crafting!

Ingredients

(7) 3 oz Jell-O boxes (cherry, orange, lemon, lime, blue raspberry, and grape)
2 C flour – for each color
1/2 C salt – for each color
1 Tbsp cream of tartar – for each color
2 Tbsp canola oil – for each color
1 C boiling water- for each color

Tools

Glass measuring cup
Large bowl
Spatula or spoon
Parchment paper

Store your playdough in airtight containers to prevent it from drying out. Plastic containers with tight-fitting lids or glass jars with rubber seals work well. Use wax paper between the colors.

Another great option is to use ziplock bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bags to keep the playdough soft. It also keeps it smelling great!

Each color of Jell-O makes about 4 C of play dough. The recipe can easily be cut in half.

Before giving the dough to your kids, check its texture and consistency. If it starts to feel dry, you can add a few drops of oil and knead it to restore its softness.

Get the printable how to card for this kids’ craft below:

Yield: 4 cups of dough per color

Jello Playdough Recipe

Make colorful and fun playdough with our easy Jello playdough recipe! Safe and non-toxic, it's perfect for creative playtime with kids.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

(7) 3 oz Jell-O boxes (cherry, orange, lemon, lime, blue raspberry, and grape)
2 C flour - for each color
1/2 C salt - for each color
1 Tbsp cream of tartar - for each color
2 Tbsp canola oil - for each color
1 C boiling water- for each color

Tools

Glass measuring cup
Large bowl
Spatula or spoon
Parchment paper

Instructions

In a microwave-safe bowl heat 1 cup of water for 2 1/2 minutes (until boiling).
In a large bowl add flour, salt, cream of tartar, and one 3 oz packet of Jell-O. Stir to combine.
Carefully add the boiling water and oil to the flour mixture. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and dough begins to form. If the dough is still sticky, add 1-2 Tbsp of flour at a time, and mix well until the dough is no longer sticky.
Place on a piece of parchment paper until the dough is completely cooled.
Repeat steps 1-4 until all the Jell-O rainbow colors are made.