How To Make Gingerbread Playdough

Want to know how to make gingerbread playdough at home? This wonderful soft dough can be made in minutes and will entertain the kids for hours.

If you want to make your own all natural Christmas playdough, look no further than this easy, fool-proof recipe.

Making playdough is always one of my favorite things to do with my kids.

Its an easy, cheap craft that lasts for months and it is great for their fine motor skills.

If you want to make this playdough, read on for all the details and also download the free printable gingerbread man playdough mats at the bottom of the page.

Other than the stovetop part of this recipe, making this playdough is an easy activity that the kids can help with.

My kids love mixing the ingredients and helping measure them out.

Read on for the recipe and all the details

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Homemade Gingerbread Playdough Recipe

This play dough has an amazing scent that smells just like Christmas cookies. It is perfect for daycares and preschools because it is safe and edible (although it won’t taste great).

You can use this playdough recipe for school or use it at home. I actually first made this gingerbread playdough for my daughter’s kindergarten class but now its become a classic on my rotation, along with my Easy Pumpkin Spice Playdough Recipe.

It’s made with spices such as cinnamon and ginger so it smells amazing and will make your home smell great.

You can whip up a batch of this Christmas playdough recipe in about 10 minutes.

Once it cools, your kids can be playing with it in about 5 minutes and if you keep it stored in an airtight container, it will last for months.

One batch is enough for two children to play with so you can double or triple the recipe as needed for more children.

How To Make Gingerbread Playdough

Gather all your ingredients beforehand as well as a saucepan and a wooden spoon or spatula.

I should mention that while this all-natural playdough is edible, it likely doesn’t taste very good!

However, it is safe for consumption and great for little ones who put everything in their mouths.

You will need:

2 teaspoons of ginger
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 cup of Flour
2 teaspoons of cream of tartar (I found this in my local bulk food store)
1/2 Cup of Salt
1 cups of water
A tablespoon of Vegetable or canola oil
1 teaspoon of nutmeg (optional)

Is this a No- Cook Gingerbread Playdough recipe?

If you search online, you will find lots of different homemade playdough recipes.

I’ve tried the no cook versions and they work pretty well (typically you use boiling water instead of making the dough on the stove top).

Personally, I find that the stovetop method is the best if you want really soft, easy to make playdough that stays fresh for a long time.

What is the best oil for playdough?

I typically use vegetable oil for my playdough but you can use any oil you have on hand.

I normally avoid strong smelling oils like olive oil because they can mask the smell of the spice blend.

Directions For Making Gingerbread Playdough

Place all the ingredients into the saucepan and mix well
Place on a stovetop on a medium/low heat and start stirring continuously.
Continue to stir for around 5 minutes (My arms normally start aching)
Gradually the playdough will become thicker and start to be less sticky on the bottom of the pan
Create a ball of playdough in the pan with your spoon and cook for another minute or so, turning every once in a while.
Remove from the heat and place on a plate.
Knead into a ball and cover in plastic wrap. Leave to cool

Once the playdough is cooled, it is ready to use. It will keep for a few months in a airtight zipper bag or container.

Tools For Playing With Gingerbread Playdough

Like all playdough, this gingerbread version is really good for little kids to practice skills such as cutting and rolling.

I like to give them the following tools to use with their playdough:

Playdough scissors and cutting wheels (this set has a bunch of fun playdough tools)
A small rolling pin (in a pinch you can use a can of food)
Popsicle sticks
Plastic cutlery
Muffin tins and silicon cupcake liners.
And of course some gingerbread and Christmas themed cookie cutters.

Gingerbread Playdough Play Starters

Some fun ideas for using your Gingerbread playdough

Make a gingerbread family and decorate them with buttons and beads.
Go on a nature walk and add in acorns, stones and leaves to your playdough
Try cutting out Christmas themed words such as Gingerbread, Noel, Cookie
Try and build a gingerbread house with your playdough
Use the free printable gingerbread man playdough mans below to inspire creativity.

Free Gingerbread Man Playdough Mats

Playdough mats are a great way to encourage your children to get creative.

These simple gingerbread man printable playdough mats will help them think of ways to decorate the different shapes.

Just click on the link below to download your free printables – there are three playdough mats available:

Gingerbread man
Gingerbread woman
And of course, a gingerbread house.

Download the FREE Playdough mats here.

How To Make Gingerbread Playdough – Final Thoughts

This recipe will be sure to make all the kids excited for the holidays!

It is quick and easy to make and lasts for a long time.

The nice thing about this homemade playdough is that you likely have most of the ingredients at home already, making it a frugal activity for the kids this fall.