Great Grape-Scented Play Dough Recipe

Play dough is a naturally attractive center for young children. It’s soothing to squish and smash the dough, empowering to manipulate it into different shapes, and an excellent creative outlet. After some time, though, students lose interest in plain play dough. Reel preschoolers back in by adding scents, colors, and textures! This grape-scented play dough’s fun scent and vivid purple color entice students to keep playing with it and build their fine motor muscles!

How to Make Grape-Scented Play Dough

This recipe is super simple, although it does require some cooking.

• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tbsp cream of tartar
• 2 Tbsp oil
• 1 cup flour
• 1 large squirt of liquid drink mix

First, mix all the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. When the dough forms a solid and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, remove it from the heat. Next, let it cool down for a few minutes until it is safe to handle. Knead the dough until it’s smooth and pliable.

Of course, some drink mixes are more colorful than others. No need to despair – add a few drops of liquid watercolor or purple food coloring until the desired color is reached.

Store the grape-scented play dough in zip-top bags, and it should keep (and smell grape-y) for at least a month!

Grape Expectations

While play dough by itself is fun, make it an amazing experience by adding some of the following:

• cookie cutters
• small fruit counters (pictured below)
• small branched twigs, rocks, and other natural elements
• dinosaurs (that purple color brings one in particular to mind)
• play dough mats
• cupcake liners and birthday candles
• googly eyes
• pipe cleaners

Check out this impressive list at No Time for Flashcards for even more ideas.

Fun Books to Get Students in a Grape Mood

Here are some fantastic books to read with the students that fit well with the grape-scented play dough.

• Raisin and Grape by Tom Amico
• Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
• Purplelicous by Victoria Kann
• Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes by Margie Palatini

Additional Resources

Here are some other fun recipes to try!

• Cake Play Dough from Messy Little Monster
• Bouncing Play Dough from Darcy and Brian
• Chocolate Play Dough from Play to Learn Preschool
• Taco Play Dough from JDaniel4smom.com