It’s pretty obvious from the name of my blog that I love gingerbread. Mmmm, so many happy memories are associated with the very smell! My children adore playdough, it’s probably one of their top 3 favourite activities, so I thought I would make them some gingerbread playdough. We often make our own playdough as it’s cheap and lasts a long time. If you’re looking for ideas on how to play with playdough, take a look at our free printable gingerbread playdough mats.
This is my tried and tested no-cook playdough recipe:
150g plain flour
100g salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
200ml water
Easy gingerbread playdough recipe
I put all the ingredients into a bowl and mixed with a wooden spoon. When everything was mixed and very sticky I kneaded it by hand until a dough was formed. Then I added a pinch of ginger, cinnamon and all spice to give it an authentic smell and make the house smell lovely too.
My children love this spiced version of playdough and it’s great for sensory play. When I asked my son what he thought he said it “smelled like cakes”.
My daughter has recently received a play kitchen so she’s been in heaven playing cook, “just like mummy”. They’ve both been baking batches of gingerbread men with cookie cutters and buttons instead of currants.
You may be interested in our other gingerbread posts:
36 Comments
Mummy of Two
May 9, 2014 at 11:19 amLittle Miss A played with some gingerbread playdoh at toddler group and loved it. Will have to try out your recipe as mine never turns out right!
Kate Thompson
May 9, 2014 at 11:31 amWhat a fabulous idea!!! Really original and fun. Will share 🙂
Jo Bryan
May 9, 2014 at 11:54 amI loved making playdough for my children when they were young, great idea adding ginger.
Jen aka The Mad House
May 9, 2014 at 11:57 amI adore play dough to and used to make it for the boys when they were younger. I love the idea of gingerbread dough. What a fab gift this would make with cookie cutters and a small rolling pin
Lucie Aiston
May 9, 2014 at 12:08 pmOooooh! I want to make some for my son! 🙂
Angela Spicer
May 9, 2014 at 12:44 pmI’ve made plenty of playdoh before but never gingerbread. Great idea
Louisa
May 9, 2014 at 12:56 pmFran has just discovered playdoh and all her lovely colours have been mushed into one brown ball. I love the idea of making your own and putting cinnamon in.
Globalmouse
May 9, 2014 at 1:46 pmWhat a brilliant idea…I would love to be around them when they played with this as I also love gingerbread. Definitely will be making this!!
You Baby Me Mummy
May 9, 2014 at 4:49 pmGreat idea, I bet it smells lovely. I will try some of this for Baby x
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D)
May 9, 2014 at 6:12 pmHome made play dough brings back childhood memories when my girls were little. We used to make a batch every holidays.
Jada Lewendon
May 9, 2014 at 9:22 pmMaking home made playdough is a fond memory from my childhood days spent with my Mum. I always forget about this as a fun craft activity to do with Spud, I must, MUST, give it a go one day! x
Foz
May 9, 2014 at 10:04 pmOh would never of thought of gingerbread play dough..will have to try making this!
Foz
May 9, 2014 at 10:05 pmOh would never have thought to make gingerbread play dough! Will have to try this!
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Kara
May 10, 2014 at 6:50 amI hate the smell of playdoh so this sounds fab. Hope the kids wouldn’t be tempted to eat it though
Shell Louise
May 10, 2014 at 10:16 amYum, gingerbread! I can smell it from here and I want to play!
Kirsty
May 10, 2014 at 11:09 amI would be so tempted to eat it! Your gingerbread play dough sounds like a fantastic sensory experience. Have pinned 🙂
Kerry
May 10, 2014 at 5:44 pmLove the idea of gingerbread play dough. I’ve been meaning to make some play dough for the longest time now so this has given me a kick up the butt, thanks! x
Cass@frugalfamily
May 11, 2014 at 10:45 amWhat a fab idea and so much better than bought play dough. I can almost smell it now!
Jo Middleton
May 11, 2014 at 5:02 pmMaking your own play dough is really good fun for children but I’ve never thought of adding smells to it before! really good idea. I like that they’re making gingerbread men with buttons instead of raisins too 🙂
Joanne Mallon (@joannemallon)
May 11, 2014 at 8:57 pmoh what a great idea. I kind of want to make it for myself though, is that wrong?
Helen Dickinson
May 11, 2014 at 11:32 pmMaking playdough is a fantastic idea. Not only do children/parents have fun playing with it but they also have the chance to have fun whilst creating it. Brilliant post!
agatapokutycka
May 12, 2014 at 7:51 pmThis is a lovely idea. I would play with a dough like this as well 😉
Helen
May 12, 2014 at 11:32 pmI can only imagine the smell! I would like to play with this by myself 🙂
Kizzy
May 13, 2014 at 2:05 pmI love gingerbread and I would love to play with this let alone the kids!
Lori
May 15, 2014 at 10:39 pmWhat a great idea, I’ve never tried making my own before. I bet it smells amazing and so cute using the buttons. x
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Pinkoddy
December 24, 2014 at 8:12 pmOh I bet this has a wonderful Christmas feel about it. just what my sensory seeker craves – thank you for sharing the recipe.
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