Candy Cane Playdough Recipe
The holiday season is perfect for engaging kids in sensory activities, like making playdough at home. Learn how to make playdough with this fun and easy candy cane playdough recipe.
The peppermint scent and red-and-white swirls mimic a real candy cane, making it a visually appealing and sensory-rich experience for preschoolers. This simple activity provides a great way to combine creativity and learning during the holiday season, keeping little ones entertained while developing fine motor skills.
If you’re looking for a fun and educational holiday activity, this candy cane playdough recipe is a must-try.
This playdough will engage their senses with the crisp scent of peppermint and the visual appeal of red-and-white twisties and swirls. You can’t get more Christmas than that!
Plus, playdough is the best hands-on activity that promotes fine motor skills and creativity, so adding some Christmas spirit can only make it better. Whether you use it for a holiday craft or just for play, this playdough recipe will quickly become a favorite in your preschool classroom or at home.
It’s always on stand-by this time of year, as well as our cooling peppermint playdough recipe. And try them both with our Christmas scenes playdough mats!
Why Try Candy Cane Playdough?
Candy cane playdough is a great addition to the preschool classroom because it combines rich sensory play with valuable learning experiences. Check out this post about the benefits of sensory play in early childhood. The peppermint scent engages the sense of smell, while the red and white colors stimulate visual interest, making it both fun and festive.
Be sure to read all the different ways for how to make scented playdough.
Of course, manipulating the playdough helps children develop fine motor skills, essential for handwriting and other tasks. It’s a simple, hands-on way to keep preschoolers engaged while promoting creativity and skill-building.
Peppermint Candy Cane Playdough Recipe
This peppermint candy cane playdough recipe is a fun and easy way to bring holiday magic into the classroom with its festive red and white swirls and twists, and don’t forget it’s refreshing peppermint scent, too.
Ingredients
- flour
- salt
- cream of tartar
- cooking oil
- water
- peppermint extract or peppermint essential oils
- food coloring (optional)
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Kitchen Supplies
Make sure you have the following supplies on hand:
- Medium-sized mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Airtight container for storage
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How to Make Candy Cane Playdough
Follow these simple steps to create your peppermint scented candy cane playdough:
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, measure out the flour, salt, oil, and cream of tartar. Use a whisk to mix these dry ingredients together thoroughly.
Step 2: Add Water
Once the dry ingredients are combined, pour in the water. Stir everything together to ensure the ingredients are well mixed.
Step 3: Cook the Dough
Turn the heat to medium and cook the mixture, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens and forms into a ball of dough. You’ll know it’s ready when it starts looking like playdough and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Step 4: Cool the Dough
Transfer the hot playdough ball onto a sheet of parchment paper. Let it cool for about ten minutes to make it easier to handle.
Step 5: Add Color and Knead
Once the dough has cooled, divide the dough in half. Add your desired food coloring to one ball. Usually about ten drops of red food coloring, sometimes even more. You can use gloves to avoid staining your hands.
Knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed and the playdough is smooth. Now it’s ready to play with!
Christmas Playdough Ideas!
If you really want to amp up your playdough making game, you can follow this playdough recipe using steeped tea. Use a Christmas tea instead of peppermint.
You can use this idea with our Christmas playdough activities, too.
Candy Cane Playdough Activities
Enhance your holiday sensory play with our candy cane playdough activities! These fun and engaging printables are perfect for adding structure to your playdough activities, helping preschoolers develop fine motor skills, pattern recognition, and creativity while they enjoy the festive season.
- Christmas Ornament Playdough Mats
- Candy Cane Playdough Tray
- Christmas Playdough Fine Motor Activity
- Christmas Tree Playdough Invitation to Play
- Christmas Playdough Number Formation Mats
FAQs About Making Playdough
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour, but the texture might be slightly different.
Yes, peppermint extract is safe for skin contact, but if your child has sensitive skin, consider using a smaller amount or an unscented version.
Encourage children to play with one color at a time or provide separate containers for each color.
Yes, adding glitter can make the playdough even more festive! Just mix it in during the kneading stage.
But, make sure your preschoolers are not tempted to sneak a bite of this candy cane playdough because it’s certainly not edible. If you add glitter, then it’s not taste safe either.
Creative Ways to Use Candy Cane Playdough
Here are five ways to include candy cane playdough in your sensory play for preschoolers:
- Candy Cane Shape-Making
- Encourage kids to roll and twist the red and white playdough into candy cane shapes to practice fine motor skills.
- Add Peppermint-Themed Objects
- Incorporate peppermint-themed sensory items, like small plastic candy canes or peppermint buttons, to enhance the sensory experience.
- Holiday Cookie Cutters
- Provide holiday-themed cookie cutters to let kids create various festive shapes from the playdough.
- Sensory Stamping
- Provide holiday-themed stamps or textured objects for children to press into the playdough, exploring different textures and patterns.
- Sensory Bins
- Add the candy cane playdough to a winter-themed sensory bin with items like cotton balls (snow), pinecones, or jingle bells for an interactive, multi-sensory experience.
Candy Cane Playdough Recipe
The holiday season is perfect for engaging kids in sensory activities, like making playdough at home. Learn how to make playdough with this fun and easy candy cane playdough recipe.
Materials
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 5-6 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 cups water
- Food coloring (optional)
Tools
- Medium-sized mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Airtight container for storage
Instructions
- Measure the flour, salt, oil, and cream of tartar into a medium saucepan and whisk together.
- Add the water, then turn on the heat. Mix together.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a thick dough. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks like a hot ball of playdough!
- Allow the playdough to cool for about ten minutes on parchment paper.
- Add the desired food coloring and knead.
Recommended Products
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I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
