KoolAid Playdough

I’m always surprised that I can still find KoolAid in the stores, who buys this stuff anymore? Oh. Me, apparently but only to make this delicious smelling, soft and squishy playdough. Don’t worry I still LOVE the smell of Play-Doh like all good kids of the 70s, BUT this is a fun and easy project for kids who like to cook.

While the cooking time is minimal, under 5 minutes, there is plenty of measuring, pouring, mixing and stirring to have fun making it and playing with it. Plus it’s really neat to see it go from glop in a pan to playdough in such a short time. If you can, take the time to talk about the ingredients, have them guess what each one is, they’ll love to spend a little one on one time with you and it will do you a world of good too.

KoolAid Playdough

Adapted from Klutz Books-Cooking with Kids

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 TBSP cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 TBSP oil
1 packet of KoolAid

in a medium pan mix the flour, salt and cream of tartar
add the water and oil, stir to combine
add the KoolAid
cook and stir over medium heat until the playdough starts to change color and get thick
when it collects into a ball in the pan it’s done
remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes
then plop it on a plate
as it’s cooling start to push it around and then knead it when cool enough to handle

Kneading still warm playdough is a job most kids will enjoy just make sure it’s not too hot for them. This playdough will last a couple weeks in the fridge in an airtight container. We’ve been making this adapted version for at least 6 years and probably longer. This is a great present to make and give to someone for a birthday present or make with a group of kids at a party. It’s always a hit.

It was the absolute perfect way to spend our first rainy afternoon of the spring, listening to rain and the quiet hum hum humming of a little boy completely immersed in his work.

Peace and Love–