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How to make Edible Playdough

If you have young children then there’s a phase that they put everything in their mouth. In my case it included shaving foam and paints with my youngest. Play doh was another firm favourite of hers. However, even homemade playdough isn’t edible (in fact it’s toxic to dogs) so I was inspired to look back at my mom’s notes and my own teaching notes and discover a taste-safe paint recipe for her to use and also this homemade edible playdough which is perfect as can be used as a snack afterwards.

Edible Playdough Recipe

So here you go our fun recipe for edible playdough get to use with toddlers, preschoolers and any child that is a sensory seeker. Made with food ingredients it’s completely safe to eat. A bonus unlike my homemade playdough recipe it’s also gluten-free.

Edible Play Dough Recipe with 2 ingredients

Looking for more playdough recipes – check out these Easy Playdough Recipes to make with and for kids.

Ingredients for your edible play dough recipes

  • 200g Marshmallows
  • 50g Icing Sugar (powdered Sugar)
  • Gel Food Coloring of your choice to create different colors

Corn Flour Edible Playdough Alternative

You can switch the icing sugar for corn flour (cornstarch) but, the levels are slightly different due to the nature of the substance, instead of adding it all at once you will need to add it in tablespoons at a time bit at a time making it easier to mix together as well.

How to make your marshmallow play dough

  1. Place the marshmallows in a microwavable mixing bowl.
  2. Put in the microwave and melt in 10 SECOND bursts. (see tip below)
  3. Stir between each burst – it will take approximately 40 seconds to melt the marshmallows.
  4. Add your sugar a spoon at a time and mix in.
  5. When the mixture becomes a sticky mess (technical term!) then remove from the bowl and place on a surface with icing sugar.
  6. Add more of the sugar into the centre of the dough and fold in.
  7. Keep adding, folding and kneading on a lightly dusted surface until you have playdough of the right consistency that your child can easily play with it.

Tips for getting this Edible Playdough to Work!

There is a printable recipe down at the bottom of the post that you can print and keep to use time and time again. Or why not bookmark the instructions here.

So during the process, I learnt a few useful tips and thought it best to share them with you so that you don’t make the same mistakes as I do!

Icing sugar or powdered sugar = Confectionary Sugar.

Marshmallow play dough for taste safe play

Microwave the Marshmallows in small phases!

Much like our microwave salt dough recipe you can’t go all out and melt your marshmallows in the microwave all in one go! You just end up with an exploding mass of marshmallows – yeah I didn’t take the advice in the Steam Powered Family post instead I thought I knew better – do it in 10 seconds at a time. Remove the marshmallows and STIR then put back in and go for another 10 seconds.

Don’t put away your powdered sugar before you are finished!

2 ingredient edible play dough

You will need it to dust the surface, as well as to keep the dough from sticking to your hands as you knead it. It took quite a while to knead it and mix it as the melted marshmallow doesn’t really want to go together with the icing sugar at first but keep at it and turn it out whilst still sticky.

Edible play dough recipe with printable recipe card

Fold in your icing sugar!

Once you have turned out the sticky mass onto my pastry board and then dumped some of the icing sugar in the middle and folded it into the dough and kept repeating this kneading it in my hands until it formed a smooth dough.

sensory taste safe play dough recipe

How Long with Edible Playdough Last?

This is not a lasting playdoh recipe – it’s going to go off fairly quickly but if you like us have an old packet of marshmallows sitting in the cupboard and they are about to go off it’s perfect. Or have a toddler that puts everything in the mouth to eat then this is perfect.

What to Read Next!
Looking for more taste-safe sensory play check out our Rainbow Spaghetti Recipe ideal for adding to sensory tubs and bins.

How to get colourful playdough?

how to colour your edible play dough

If you wish to add colour we recommend food colouring paste rather than liquid as you only need a small amount of the paste to add if you do use food colouring liquid then keep your icing sugar on hand to add to the mix as it will become sticky again.

Can you Flavor the Playdough?

Of course, you can, peppermint, almond, strawberry, and vanilla extracts are all good to add a little taste to the playdough.

Edible play dough recipe with printable recipe card ideal for sensory play with toddlers that put everything in their mouths
Simple 2 ingredient recipe for edible play dough perfect for sensory play with toddlers that put everything in the mouth.

Edible Playdough Recipe

Cerys Parker
Simple 2 ingredient recipe for edible play dough perfect for sensory play with toddlers that put everything in the mouth.
3.67 from 48 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Play Recipe
Servings 4 Lumps

Ingredients
  

  • 50 g Icing Sugar Approximately 6 Tbsp
  • 200 g Mashmallows
  • Food Colouring Paste

Instructions
 

  • Place the marshmallows in a microwavable bowl.
  • Put in the microwave and melt in 10 SECOND bursts.
  • Stir between each burst – it will take approximately 40 seconds to melt the marshmallows.
  • Add your sugar a spoon at a time and mix in.
  • When the mixture becomes a sticky mess (technical term!) then remove from the bowl and place on a surface with icing sugar.
  • Add more of the sugar into the centre of the dough and fold in.
  • Keep adding, folding and kneading on a lightly dusted surface until you have some play dough.
Keyword Play Dough
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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A simple 2-ingredient, super soft and smooth apple scented playdough recipe and suggestions for math-based activities for toddlers and preschool kids.
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Pinterest image for easy homemade kool aid playdough on the stove
How to make edible play dough with 2 simple ingredients ideal for sensory play with toddlers who put everything in their mouths
Author
Cerys Parker

Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.

4 Comments

  1. Will this work if marshmallows are melted on the stove?

    1. Yes, but keep an eye and I would melt over a pan of boiling water in a heat proof bowl as it makes it easier, similar to melting chocolate on the stove.

    1. It’s a great way for sensory seekers that eat anything to enjoy playdough as well.

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