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A Festive Invitation to Play: Peppermint Christmas Playdough

In this post Ali of At Home With Ali shares a fabulous scented playdough recipe and festive invitation to play.
Christmas peppermint playdough recipe
An invitation to play always delights my 4 year old kiddo. She is the one who always says “Muuummmm, I don’t know what to do.” A simple invitation to play always stops her complaints of boredom and keep her happily engaged for quite some time. Now that the Christmas decorations have hit the shops my little one is full of Christmas spirit and glee…. which makes it the perfect time for a Christmas-themed invitation to play!

Over time I have got better at setting up invitations to play. I used to include far too many materials, which is all a bit overwhelming for small children. Now I stick to 3 to 5 materials which seems to be just right.

Christmas peppermint playdough recipe and invitation to play
Our Christmas-themed invitation to play has been particularly popular. On the table I placed:

  • A batch of red peppermint playdough (recipe below)
  • Red and white pipecleaners
  • Gold stars (found at an art and crafts shop)
  • Glitter styrofoam balls (found at an art and crafts shop)
  • Christmas themed cookie cutters
  • You could also try: aluminium foil scrunched into balls, old Christmas decorations and/or old Christmas cards cut into shapes.

Christmas peppermint playdough recipe and invitation to play

Peppermint No Cook Playdough Recipe

You will need:

  • 2 cups of plain flour
  • 1/2 cup of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 and a 1/3 cups of boiling water mixed with red food colouring and 5-10 drops of peppermint oil

To make:

Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the oil and stir through. Add the boiling water mixed with food colouring and peppermint oil. Stir with a spoon. When the mixture has cooled slightly turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough until all ingredients are combined and the dough has a smooth texture.

Variation: If you don’t have peppermint oil try using a cup of strongly brewed peppermint tea (instead of boiling water).

Christmas peppermint playdough recipe: Gift ideas for kids

A Christmas Playdough Gift

While you are whipping up a batch of peppermint playdough for your kids make a second batch and package it up as a gift. Cover the playdough in cling wrap and pop it into a pretty container. Decorate the jar with ribbon and add a Christmas cookie cutter. Playdough makes a perfect Christmas gift for a preschooler.

Which scents do you associate with Christmas and the festive season?

More playful Christmas inspiration…

Invitation to Play: Santa's WorkshopCHRISTMAS-CARD-MAKING-WITH-KIDS-5

Recycled Christmas Sewing CardsMake Your Own Wrapping Paper

Ali Wright is mum to two young mini makers – their favourite place to be is around the craft table with glitter in their hair. Ali's focus is on process oriented art as she loves watching her kids experiment with creative materials. When not busy with art and craft, you'll likely find them at work and play in their small city garden. As the mini makers love a good mess, their days include lots of water and messy play!

Filed Under: Featured, Holidays & Celebrations, Play Recipes, Preschool Play, Toddler Play Tagged With: christmas

Previous post: Go Outside and Be
Next post: Simple Reindeer Snack: Just 4 Ingredients

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Melanie Brammer says

    November 25, 2014 at 8:26 AM

    This is just lovely! I can't wait to try this. I think my five year old and three year old will love it, if I make it and set it out after school one day next week. Maybe the friendship elves will set it all up for them?
  2. Dyan says

    December 11, 2014 at 6:07 AM

    i just did the recipe i have 3 1/2 yr that gets bored very easily when it rains she is now occupied this is a wonder recipe thank you
  3. Caitlin says

    December 11, 2014 at 11:41 AM

    Oh this is great. I was just about to go and make some Christmas play dough and swung by here before I got off the internet! I'll be adding peppermint to the recipe now!

Trackbacks

  1. Link Grab Bag | Moline Public Library Kids says:
    November 30, 2014 at 10:30 PM
    […] loving this recipe for peppermint playdough for the […]
  2. Bored kids? Make some Peppermint Playdough! says:
    December 2, 2014 at 7:05 AM
    […] Read the full article here: A Festive Invitation to Play: Peppermint Christmas Playdough […]
  3. Easy Sensory Play Ideas - Picklebums says:
    August 15, 2017 at 8:59 PM
    […] some no-cook peppermint play dough, or try this lemon scented […]
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