I bought the packet of jelly to make this ages ago, but kept forgetting about it. I’m glad I finally got around to making it, because Roman loved it and played with it for about an hour!
The jelly is added to colour and fragrance the playdough, but isn’t strictly necessary. I used ‘Blue Berry’ flavour and it does smell pretty yummy!
I don’t like the gritty feeling of the salt in the usual playdough recipe, so I dissolve it first in the water.
I don’t like the gritty feeling of the salt in the usual playdough recipe, so I dissolve it first in the water.
Jelly Playdough
1 x 85g (3oz) packet Jelly cystals
1 cup flour
2 tbsp cream of tartar
2 tbsp cream of tartar
1/4 cup salt*
1 cup hot water
1 cup hot water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
In a saucepan, stir together the jelly crystals, flour and cream of tartar. Put the hot water into a jug and add the salt. Stir to dissolve. Pour the salt water and oil into the saucepan and stir it all together with a wooden spoon. It will be pretty runny.
Stir constantly over a low/medium heat until it thickens and comes away from the sides of the saucepan. Take off the heat and knead with the wooden spoon until cool enough to handle. Turn out onto your work bench and continue kneading until it’s cool enough for kids to play with.
Store wrapped tightly in cling wrap.
23/09/2012 – I still have this same batch of playdough. It’s lasted more than 4 months! After Roman plays with it, I just re-wrap it tightly in cling wrap. I change the wrap when it’s looking a bit yuck.
23/09/2012 – I still have this same batch of playdough. It’s lasted more than 4 months! After Roman plays with it, I just re-wrap it tightly in cling wrap. I change the wrap when it’s looking a bit yuck.
*The original recipe uses 1/2 cup salt, but I only had 1/4 cup and it turned out fine.
If we weren’t renting this house, I’d totally paint the walls white. The colours in my photos always look weird!
Big brother, Little sister. says
I love this idea! how fabulous! I would love to see a feature wall in that playdough colour myself!
thingsforboys says
It is an awesome colour isn’t it?
Jodi says
I just made this with orange jelly crystals for playgroup, it was SO easy, quick, smooth and smells and feels wonderful!!! Thank you so much for your wonderful recipe!
thingsforboys says
That’s great Jodi! I love that it isn’t gritty like regular playdough.
Dominique says
So I’m inspired to make this with what I have languishing in my kitchen… Some old fashioned British jelly ( left over from a vodka party that never reached its full potential )…… And polenta?… What do you reckon?….
thingsforboys says
The British Jelly should work fine but I don’t think polenta will work instead of flour. Unless you are adding the polenta as an extra texture. If you do try it, I’d love to know how it turns out! Good luck!
Donna says
Hi I’m from Ireland, just wondering what type of jelly did you use ? And if it was the ‘solid’ jelly (them usual available in the UK&ireland) did you make it in to liquid b4 adding to mixture ? I’m finding it hard to get powder one like jello here.
thingsforboys says
Hi Donna, I used jelly crystals/powder but did have a pack of the solid UK jelly in the pantry, so I’ve just tested this out for you. Dissolve the jelly in the 1 cup boiling water, then add the salt to dissolve. If it goes a bit chunky, strain out the chunks and add the liquid to the flour and cream of tartar. Then cook as above. I used lemon flavour because that’s what I had. The colour isn’t very bright, but it makes up a lovely smooth playdough.