An EASY DIY Last-Minute Child's Gift (Or Project) - 5 Minutes, $2 & Easy!

Need a quick, inexpensive and last-minute gift for the kids? Or perhaps a fun project to do with the kids during the holidays? This easy, homemade play dough, that you can make in 4 minutes and lasts up to 6 months without getting hard, is perfect for either of those needs. My daughter-in-law shared this recipe with me, and I admit, I was just a bit doubtful as to how “easy” it was really going to be. Last year I tried several recipes and didn’t have luck so again, we’d see about this one.

It TOTALLY works and is even easier than I thought. Seriously, from start to finish it takes about 4 to 5 minutes and depending on sale prices and where you buy your ingredients, costs about $2 for a big batch. In fact, you probably have most of these ingredients already. The most expensive item is the cream of tartar, which may be the one ingredient you don’t have on hand. If you buy this at the grocery store, you’re going to pay through the nose, unless you catch a really, really good sale. Target or Walmart would be a better place to get the cream of tartar or if you live by a Penzeys Spices, I think they always have the best prices on spices.

My daughter-in-law uses Koo-Aid instead of food coloring when she makes this. I used the food coloring to make sure it doesn’t stain and it does not. I didn’t use the glycerine, which is just for a bit of shine. Another thing she does is she adds a bit of essential oil to some of her batches, which depending on which ones she uses, can help with calmness or even focus.

This would also make a cute gift by placing all the dry ingredients in a jar and then attaching the directions. (All they’ll have to add is water and oil, if you use Kool-Aid in the dry mix.)

And again, it’s about $2, takes 5 minutes or less, is SO easy and best of all…it actually works! And who doesn’t like playing with play dough?