Summer Scented No Cook Playdough Easy Craft For Kids

It’s the third day of summer out here and we’re already needing all-the-ideas to stay occupied and sane in between crazy pool days and outings that are literally requiring every ounce of my energy right now. Shuttling around three kids to camp, activities, doctors appointments and the pool is tough work on this pregnant mama!

Enter our first indoor “special activity” that the girls and I made while Lilly is at cheer camp this morning.

Summer Scented No Cook Playdough

This playdough uses essential oils – definitely not a must-have ingredient but the citrus scents smell ah-MAZING and really make this playdough special.

1.5 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated table salt

2 tsp. cream of tartar

2 tbsp. coconut oil (veg oil, avocado oil, or any other kind of oil you have on hand would work too- I like the coconut for my girls skin)

10 drops of essential oils (we used tangerine and lemon!)

3 drops of gel food coloring (liquid food coloring is fine too but you may need to add a touch more flour if your play dough ends up sticky

1 cup boiling water

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, add all dry ingredients. Let your kids mix them up with a fork until they’re well incorporated. Next add oils and food coloring to the center of the dry mixture. Pour the boiling water right onto the center with the oils and food coloring. Then mix (gently- it’s hot!) with the fork until fairly well distributed. At a certain point when the dough starts to come together, dump it onto the countertop and kneed it with your hands. Kids can do this part but the dough is VERY WARM still at this point and might be too warm for little fingers- use your own judgement. Also a note- we have quartz countertops which don’t stain, but be careful if you are working on a surface that shouldn’t have food coloring on it!

You can store this playdough in plastic ziplock bags or in tupperware containers with good lids. It’ll stay soft for a good long while. If it starts to fell stiff you can add a touch more coconut oil. I’ve been writing this blog post and cleaning up the house for about two hours now and the girls are still playing happily at the counter. Win!