Edible Play Dough for Valentine’s Day

Recently, I searched for an edible play dough recipe. I didn’t just want something taste-safe… lots of homemade play dough recipes are safe to taste, but you’ll end up with a stomachache if you eat a couple mouthfuls of it. And that’s when I stumbled on an idea so obvious that I literally slapped myself in the forehead. Use bread dough! We have loads of fun things to do in February on our February Bucket List for Kids, so stick around!

This recipe for no-salt play dough is what gave me the idea, actually. And I should mention that my son plays with regular Playdoh just fine. He doesn’t eat it or put it in his mouth at all. I just thought that an edible version would be lots of fun.

We’ve stressed with our son the difference between our homemade play dough and the commercial version. He knows he can only eat what we make (and he only eats this after it’s baked).

To make the dough,  you’ll need:

• 3 cups self-rising flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. sugar (optional – I wanted to sweeten it up for this version)
• red food coloring (a few drops)
• red sugar (optional) to sprinkle on top

Mix the ingredients in a large bowl. When it comes together to form a bowl, dump it out and knead it. Divide the dough into a couple of sections for play. If the dough starts to get too sticky during play, just roll it around in a little flour. It’ll bounce right back!

Yes, that’s a stocking cookie cutter on the table, too. And there’s a snowman cookie cutter somewhere. Don’t judge. Christmas cookie cutters are good all year round.

And when the play is done, you get to bake it! Okay, I know some of you are cringing. You can use some that you’ve set aside if it makes you feel better. But it IS okay to play with your food and then eat it sometimes.

To bake this recipe, heat your oven to 450 degrees. After it’s preheated, pop in the dough (shape it into something fun, first) and bake for 10-15 minutes until the bread rises and it’s hard on the outside. Serve with strawberry jam. Or butter. Or whipped cream and strawberries. Ooooh, yeah. Do that and report back!

For more Valentine’s Day sensory fun, check out this sensory bin. Your kiddo will love it!