I think everyone knows my LOVE for playdough, right?! If you don’t, follow along on my social media or search my blog for playdough and you will see. But purchasing brand name playdough can be expensive and sometimes even a hassle. So, I am here to share my No-Cook DIY Microwave Kool-Aid Playdoh. I learned how to make this 20+ year ago when my kids were in a co-op preschool and I was a parent volunteer. I ended up making lots of batches of this homemade playdough.
I hesitated to share this recipe because there are so many homemade play-doh recipes out there, along with multiple Kool-Aid play-doh recipes. But in looking at many of them, the one thing I found was that almost all of them required Cream of Tartar and boiling and mixing on the stove. And while there is nothing wrong with those recipes, you know me…I prefer quick, simple and inexpensive.
How To Make Homemade Kool-Aid Play-Doh
Ingredients:
2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Salt
2 Unsweetened Kool-Aid Packages
1 1/2 cups Boiling Water
3 Tbsp Oil
1. Measure and Mix Dry Ingredients Together.
2. Bring water to a boil (this can be done in a microwave or on the stove)
3. Add water & oil to dry ingredients and stir.
4. Mix until a soft dough ball forms.
WARNING: Play-Doh mixture will be HOT! I usually let it cool off for 5-10 minutes before kneading.
5. Move to a flat surface and knead until desired playdough consistency.
Voila! In less than 10 minutes (minus cooling time), you can have yummy looking and smelling homemade playdough!
My kids love to try to guess what color the playdough is going to turn out being, since the packaging can often be deceiving! I like to store the playdough in an airtight container or even a gallon Ziplock bag. And did you want some FREE labels for your playdough?! I have you covered! Not only do I have a printable recipe card for you, but also playdough labels. (Scroll down for freebie download)
P.S: This recipe can be doubled or cut in half. Just make sure to split ingredients accordingly.
Click here to learn more about The Playdough Station In the Kindergarten Classroom.
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2D Shape Playdough Mats – Fine Motor Practice – Play-Doh$4.00 -
Number Playdough Mats – Fine Motor Practice – Numeral Writing 1 – 20 Play-Doh$5.00 -
Playdoh Name Mats & Poem for Back to School Editable$2.00 -
Sight Word Playdoh Mats Editable$5.00 -
Alphabet Playdough Mats Beginning Sound Pictures – Fine Motor Phonics Activity$3.00
This looks like a lot of fun! Even without kids around I want to try this and have some fun on my own! Hey, it can keep me busy for at least a little bit! And it’s ridiculously easy too!
Great tutorial! It’s crazy to buy premade when making homemade play dough is so easy. I used to make our own when the kids were little, plus all the time when I taught preschoolers.
I love this idea! We’ve made play dough with food coloring and it continues to dye my kids hands. Does that happen with the Kool-Aid?
Thanks Twinglemommy for stopping by! And to answer your question, that is the beauty in this play-doh recipe…NO Cream of Tartar and NO food coloring! The kook-aid does NOT stain your hands, so it’s a perfect recipe!
Is it safe to eat
All ingredients are edible, but there is no sugar in it, so I assume it doesn’t taste very good. But it wouldn’t bother me if my kids ate it. Thank you for your comment!
This is so cool! I will try this with my kids
Where did you get the little containers?
Hi Julia and thank you for stopping by my blog! I purchased the containers at the .99 cent store. They come in a package of 6 for .99!
That is awesome! Here’s a question though – how long does this last? Is it a one time use thing, or can you use it over and over again as long as you keep it in the container?
Hi Cat! Thanks for stopping by and good question. It will stay in good condition, as long as you keep it in a sealed container. We keep ours for several weeks and then throw it out. Usually because the play-doh has “other stuff” in it, ie: dirt, chips, rocks, etc. Lol! I also use this play doh in my classroom for weeks on end, replacing every 6-8 weeks.
What a neat recipe! So glad you shared! Blessings from Bama!
I love this recipe, and we used it in our first week of homeschool this week. I shared your recipe on my blog at http://momtomanygirls.com/one-week-behind-us-and-everyone-is-still-alive/ Thanks!!
I would love to make this playdough but I have a problem. I live in Spain and Kool aid is impossible to obtain. Is there a substitude for Kool Aid ? Thank you in anticipatation.
HI Barbara and thank you for stopping by to leave a comment here on Lovin’ Our Chaos! Unfortunately, I am not sure what the equivalent to powdered Kool-Aid is in your country, but I know that somehow it helps the consistency of the play-doh, so it really is necessary. Another reader suggested cordial in a powdered form? Or maybe another type of powdered unsweetened drink mix? If you try it, please come back and let me know what you found and what works! Thanks again!
Hi, I’m in Australia and I’m not sure what kool aid is, I don’t think we have it here but if you can tell me what it is I might be able to find an alternative.
Thanks.
HI Emma and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment here on Lovin’ Our Chaos. Unfortunately, I am not sure what the equivalent to powdered Kool-Aid is in your country, but I know that somehow it helps the consistency of the play-doh, so it really is necessary. Another reader suggested cordial in a powdered form?
That’s ok. I managed to google kool aid and zoom in on the picture to see what it was described as. I found powered cordial in the supermarket the other day and I might give that a go, fingers crossed it works!!
Oh great! Will you let me know how it turns out? I would love to share the results with my international readers!
I’ve emailed you my results! With pics.
Thanks Emma for the message and pictures! I am going to add it to my post for all of my international readers! Thanks again for trying it out!
Emma, Kool aid is like our cordial but it’s in powdered form. I’m in Oz too and can’t think of an equivalent as I’ve never seen powdered cordial here.
Thank you Belinda for contributing, as I am not sure what the equivalent would be to Kool-Aid in other countries. 🙁
Do the cool-aid not stain when you play with it????
Nivia: No, the kool-aid does NOT stain when you mix it or play with it! Thanks for your comment!
What type of flour is used in this recipe? Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment. For this recipe, I used regular all-purpose flour.
I think powdered Tang might work instead of Koolaid (except it does have sugar in it..)
Thanks Suzanne for leaving me a comment! I am not sure how Tang would work, considering the sugar. It looks like cordial worked for those that don’t have access to Kool-Aid. 🙂
I’m in Oz too, and find that sweet shops (lolly/candy shops) often sell Kool-Aid with other USA chocs, candy etc. Have found it great for sensory play mixes such as this!
Thanks Carrie for your comment! Emma messaged me back that she used cordial and it worked!
Just made three batches (halved the receipe) in the time it would have taken me to do I batch on the stove top. Came out great we did Kool aid pink lemonade and grape. The last one I added 1tsp of unsweetened coco powder, it smells yummy.
Yay! I am do happy that you LOVE the recipe Areshea! That’s what my blog is all about…finding the short cuts in life, so we can continue on with the chaos!
I did find that I needed a lot more flour. What did I do wrong?
Hi Amber and thank you for your comment. Did you follow the recipe exactly or did you reduce or double it? One time I went to double the recipe and didn’t do it correct and it was way too mushy. I added more flour, but the salt was off and the play-doh ended up molding. 🙁 I know that the water must come to a boil as well. So, the amount of time that it needs to come to a boil would depend on your microwave. I just watch it to make sure that it does come to a boil. Please keep me posted on your findings, as I am anxious to see what might have happened. Thanks!
I am a teacher for Even Start (ages birth to age 7) I used this recipe as a family project with one of my students. It turned out GREAT!! Thanks so much! I have seen many recipes for play dough but had never tried it before now. I mixed the dough all up, separated it into 4 parts, then added the kool-aid to it. I actually used 4 packs (orange, cherry, lemon lime, and blue raspberry). I liked how the colors were bright and smelled good too! The only problem was the cherry, it didn’t turn out red, but that was ok! I had seen homemade play dough in a toddler classroom before but the consistency was gritty and sticky, this recipe made the consistency perfect!! I was excited to share the recipe with all my parents 🙂
How much is in one package of the kool aid? I only have a big container of it and need to know the amounts. Thanks!! Can’t wait to try!
HI Melise and thank you for stopping by Lovin’ Our Chaos and leaving a comment/question. The answer to your question is 1 Tbsp. Enjoy making your play doh!
What kind of oil do you need to use? Will nay oil work? I have coconut, olive and canola in house. Thanks!!
Canola oil would work the best!
O que é Kool? No Brasil o que pode ser substituído.
Abigail I’ve made 2 batches of your play doh. Is it supposed to turn out a little sticky? I followed your recipe to a T. Does it tend to firm up? I was letting it cool on wax paper and then it stuck to the wax paper. It does okay on my thick plastic cutting board where I was kneading it. An suggestions? Thank you! I can’t wait for my summer school kiddos to play with it Monday on the 1st day of summer school!!
Susan
Hi Susan! Sorry for the late response. Normally I add a little more oil, if needed. Depending on your climate or type of flour you use, you may need to add a little extra oil as needed, so it doesn’t become so sticky! 🙂 I hope that helps and please message me back to let me know how it turns out!
Sorry if this is a repeat question, but I didn’t see it asked. How do you know what colors it will be?
LOL as you may see from my last post, I don’t do Kool Aid but I saw unsweetened and assumed it had no color as well. Silly question…now I know!
This recipe worked out great and the kiddos loved the smell! Thanks for sharing!
Yay!! I am so happy to hear this!
Have you tried using a gluten free flour substitute for Celiac students? I’m wondering if it would work.
No, I have never used a substitute.