Mix cornstarch, unflavored gelatin, water and food color (or Kool-Aid), then chill it in the fridge for 4-7 hours to make a cool, flour-free play dough. There's no cooking or hot water, so preschoolers can make a batch by themselves.
Dissolve 1 packet of unflavored gelatin in 3/4 cup of water. Stir and squish until it is thoroughly dissolved.
Add food color, or Kool-Aid if you want scent, to 3/4 cup of cornstarch.
Pour the gelatin water into the colored cornstarch and mix.
Keep mixing until it looks like a smooth, runny batter.
Set the mixture in the fridge for 4-7 hours. 7 hours gives the best dough.
Lift the set dough out and put it on wax paper.
Add a bit of oil if you like, and knead.
Cut it up, mold it and enjoy how cold it feels.
Put leftover dough back in the fridge.
No. The author tried it first and it got too sticky, even when she varied the ratios. A reader's Jell-O batch was runny and goopy. Unflavored gelatin worked.
It dissolves better in hot water, but it moderately dissolves in cold water if you squish it a bit. The dough then takes 5-7 hours to set. For trouble, the author suggests lukewarm water.
The author re-tested the recipe and it worked. She suggests dissolving the gelatin in lukewarm water instead of tap-cold water, and using food color.
A teacher asked, but the post doesn't say. Plan several batches for a class.
At least 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Left out, it gets moldy in a day. After an overnight chill, set it out 30 minutes before play so it softens.
All the ingredients are edible, so an accidental taste is no cause for panic. It isn't meant to be eaten, though, and the author doesn't encourage kids to eat play dough.
💬 9 comments ✍️ 4 answered by the author
“Can I use flavored gelatin instead of unflavored gelatin and Kool-Aid?” · Justine
Author The author tried that first but couldn't get the consistency right. It got too sticky even with different ratios. Unflavored gelatin worked.
“Does the gelatin dissolve in cold water?” · Joanna
Author It dissolves better in hot water, but it moderately dissolves in cold if you squish the gelatin a bit. The dough then takes 5-7 hours to set.
“Mine is still a sticky mess after 8 hours. Any thoughts?” · mamaandmummy
Author The author retested it and it worked. She suggests lukewarm water for the gelatin instead of cold tap water, and says food color works out great.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
A reader swapped flavored Jello for the unflavored gelatin and Kool-Aid; it came out runny. The author had the same result and recommends unflavored gelatin.
“I tried the recipe using flavored Jello instead of Kool-aid and it didn't turn out”
🛠️ Troubleshooting
One reader followed the recipe exactly and still had a sticky, mashed-potato texture after 8 hours in the fridge.
“8 hours in I still have a sticky mess-- the consistency of mashed potatoes.”
🛠️ Troubleshooting
The author retested the recipe and suggests dissolving the gelatin in lukewarm water instead of cold tap water. She says food color works out great.
“Can you try adding lukewarm water to the gelatin instead of tap cold?”
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Gelatin dissolves better in hot water, but it moderately dissolves in cold if you squish it. The dough then takes 5-7 hours to set.
“It does moderately dissolve in cold water if squish the gelatin a bit.”
Read all 9 comments
TurkeyMomAuthor · Jan 2014 · replying to mamaandmummy
I followed the recipe and tried it one more time for you. It seemed to work good. Can you try adding lukewarm water to the gelatin instead of tap cold? Also did you add Kool Aid or food color? Food color works out great very single tin
mamaandmummy · Jan 2014
This was a bust for me! I followed your recipe exactly (I checked like 3 times after it didn't work to make sure I hadn't goofed somewhere!) and 8 hours in I still have a sticky mess-- the consistency of mashed potatoes. I'm going to leave it in the fridge a bit longer and see what happens. Thoughts?
Newteacher · Aug 2013
For how many students does this recipe make?
Justine · Jul 2013
I tried the recipe using flavored Jello instead of Kool-aid and it didn't turn out :( It was very runny and goopy. I'll have to try it again with the correct ingredients.
TurkeyMomAuthor · Jul 2013 · replying to Justine
Oh boo! Yeah the same thing happened to me when I used the Jell-O powder. It got too sticky even when I varied the ratios. But the unflavored gelatin worked!
Joanna · Jul 2013
I am confused because my first instinct is to dissolve the gelatin in HOT water. Did it work out OK using cold? Sounds like a fun way to make play dough. :)
TurkeyMomAuthor · Jul 2013 · replying to Joanna
Gelatin will dissolve better in hot water- that's true. It does moderately dissolve in cold water if squish the gelatin a bit. Also the resulting play dough takes 5-7 hours to set.. I'd love for some one else to try it and leave feedback about the dough - good or bad.:)
Justine · Jul 2013
This looks great! Is there any reason you couldn't use flavored gelatin instead of unflavored and kool-aid?
TurkeyMomAuthor · Jul 2013 · replying to Justine
Good question. I tried that first but I did not quite get the consistency right. You could always try and if you are successful come back and let us know. Love all the Jell-o scents..