*Welcome, Money Saving Mom readers! I'm honored that Crystal sent you my way.
I'm
going to be posting a few more crafty (and kid-friendly) stocking
stuffer gifts a little later in the week, so feel free to come back and
check them out!
I'm really excited to share this creative and thrifty gift idea for the kiddos in your life!
The best part is that kids as young as 2 or 3 can make this gift for their friends and family members for less than a dollar each.
I came up with this idea when I needed a quick and easy activity for my Pioneer Girls (ages 8-10) for their "Creative Fun" badge. Their handbook suggested making homemade sidewalk chalk, but in past years it was incredibly messy and we had to wait until the next meeting for the chalk to dry. Plus, I wasn't impressed with the way the chalk worked on our own driveway this summer. I wanted to find a similarly fun and creative craft that could take its place, and I found the inspiration in this play dough mix from Heavenly Homemakers.
But I wanted to put my own spin on it. By using Kool-Aid, the color is already mixed in, so all the gift recipient has to do is add water. And since you don't have to cook it, even a very young child can help make the dough.
For my recipe, I halved flour and salt from the PreKinders Kool Aid Play Dough*, and it was just right to fit the containers I had purchased for the project.
* This list of play doughs from PreKinders is an excellent resource! However, we would not recommend the No-Cook Play Dough, as the oil causes it to become slimy after a few uses.
It is so easy to make these play dough mixes! You simply dump all three ingredients into the container...
...add the free printable label to the lid...
 |
| The girls used fancy scrapbook scissors to cut out their labels. |
Here's what you need:
Kool Aid Play Dough Mix:
You will need: - 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup table salt
- 1 pouch Kool Aid powder
- Small Plastic Containers (I used these from the Dollar Tree)
- Pour all ingredients into the container.
- Close the lid and shake to combine.
- Attach a Free Printable Label
- Give to a friend!
I stirred the mix and water with a wooden spoon until it was combined, and then I kneaded it a little on the counter. If the dough is a little sticky, just knead in a little all-purpose flour until it's the right consistency.
The result was a vibrant, scented dough that kept my Kiddo entertained for close to an hour! The finished dough fits perfectly inside the container with room to spare.
That means for under $3.00, I can make 4 containers of play dough mix!
I can guarantee that a set of these will be in Kiddo's stocking this Christmas. Are you giving any homemade gifts this year?
My only concern is if the kool-aid mix itself would dye the kids hands or the countertop.
ReplyDeleteAnything like that happen? Thanks!
Trisha, I was concerned about that, but I haven't had a problem. When it was too sticky (I had to knead in a little extra flour by hand), a thin layer of pink stuck to my hands, but it all washed off without leaving any obvious color on my hands. It did, however, stain my wooden spoon a little.
DeleteAs for the counter, there weren't any stains from the actual playdough, but I did spill a tiny bit of Kool Aid, which did leave a red mark when I wiped it up. A little scrubbing with a paste of baking soda and water removed it without a problem. :)
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Trisha, my kids play with this exact playdough all the time, and we've done all colors. We've never had a problem with the kool aid staining anything. It's great, and I love this idea to give as little gifts. I may do it for favors for my kids party .
DeleteWhat a great idea for using at home or giving as gifts. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Rachael!
Deleteyes! my 7-yr-old is getting homemade playdoh this year and my 4-yr-old is getting diy ribbon dancers :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Delia! I'm glad I could help. :) Ribbon dancers are so fun! Would you care to share the tutorial you're using?
DeleteI am planning on putting little "kits" together for nieces/nephews. I'm going to add cookie cutters and a cheap, plastic Holiday tablecloth. Then their Mamas' just have to mix the dough and they can play on the tablecloth. I'm going to put them in neat little bags and make a "Play Dough Kit" label. Thanks for the great idea--can't wait to make it this weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! I've seen some similar kits on Pinterest that turned out really cute using a plastic shoe box from the dollar store. However, I haven't seen the plastic tablecloth idea - genius!
DeleteThis could not have come at a better time! I have a ton of old Kool-Aid packets in the pantry and needed small gifts for my daughter's preschool classmates and my nieces! THANK YOU!!
ReplyDeletePerfect! I love it when things work out like that. :) Glad I could help, and thanks for stopping by!
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