Easy to make scented playdough recipe

Playdough is always a big hit with young children. This versatile play materials gives kids the freedom to create while they explore exciting textures and new skills. You can take your playdough to the next level by adding in scent! So what are you waiting for? Get my easy to make scented playdough recipe now!

Babies and toddlers need lots of opportunities to use their senses. That’s why sensory play is such a hot topic in the early years. But it doesn’t always need to include flashing lights and fancy toys. You can enjoy sensory play at home with your child using simple activities like playdough!

Playdough is great for babies and toddlers

Playdough is a great way to encourage your baby or toddler to be creative. They can explore new textures and colours, discover new skills, and experience cause and effect! Playdough also allows them to practice those all-important fine motor skills. The grabbing, pinching, shaping and rolling all work the tiny muscles in your child’s hands. Making them stronger and developing better coordination.

Why make scented playdough?

Playdough is already pretty exciting for babies and toddlers. But you can step it up a notch by adding scent to your dough too! This will encourage babies and toddlers to sniff, whiff, and explore their creations using their sense of smell! Smell is one of the most exciting senses as it creates powerful memories. So why not help your baby or toddler have more meaningful experiences by adding in some easy to make scented playdough?

Peppermint

In this easy to make scented playdough recipe, I have used peppermint extract. But you can really use any type of food extract you like to create the smell. Some extracts will be stronger than others, so you might need to add more of a weaker scent like lemon for example.

We have previously made orange scented dough that we coloured with yellow food colouring. I also mixed it up for Autumn and used spices instead of extract. For example, we made a lovely seasonal playdough by adding ground cinnamon and red food colouring. Once you get the hang of the basics, you can adapt this easy to make scented playdough recipe to fit your child!

What will I need to make the scented playdough?

Equipment:

Large bowl
Measuring jug
Tbsp measuring spoon
Tsp measuring spoon
Spatula

Ingredients:

16 tbsp plain flour
3 tbsp table salt
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp blue food colouring
1 tsp peppermint extract
80ml warm water (cooled boiled)

Instructions:

Measure the flour and salt into a bowl
Make a well in the centre of your dry ingredients
Add the vegetable oil, food colouring and peppermint extract
Gradually add the warm water and mix together until you have a dough
Use your hands to shape the dough into a ball
If the dough is too wet, add a little extra flour. If it is too dry, add a little extra water.

How to play with your scented playdough

My toddler loves to make cakes using playdough. He adds lumps of scented playdough to cupcake cases and sometimes we throw on some sensory rice as sprinkles too! Your easy to make scented playdough is really versatile. Why not make hand prints or press leaves and into the dough? You could use cookie cutters, rolling pins, and any other household items that make exciting patterns in your playdough.

Playdough Mats

One of my favourite ways to play with scented playdough, is to use Playdough Mats to inspire the creations. I have a set of Time to Bake Playdough Mats for you to print for FREE. They have lots of exciting pictures that your toddler can shape their dough onto. If you are feeling even more adventurous, I also have Toileting Fun Playdough Mats to support learning around personal hygiene.

Will you make scented playdough?

I hope you enjoy my easy to make scented playdough recipe and have lots of fun creating with your baby or toddler. I would love to see your creations! Tag me @craftytoddlercompany on Facebook and Instagram. You can join our Crafty Toddler Community to share your photos and get more ideas from likeminded parents.

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Play Soil and Spaghetti Worms for garden themed messy play
Make your own spooky sensory rice for babies and toddlers
Gruffalo inspired messy play for babies and toddlers

Easy to make scented playdough recipe