We LOVE getting our kids involved in the kitchen, but boy does that mean MESSES all the time. My personality actually revolts a little every time I see the mess and feel it under my feet (yikes!), but the fun my kids have is priceless. For our latest kitchen adventure, we made colorful rainbow play dough cookies! They start as play dough and then we turn into deliciously fruity cookies — It’s a recipe and activity in one!
Especially when homeschooling, it’s important to find activities that will keep the kids’ attention as well as offer plenty of opportunities for learning. With a recipe in the kitchen, they’re practicing reading skills, following instructions, measuring, fine motor skills… and that’s all just in the recipe portion!
With these play dough cookies, you get plenty of time while the kids use their imaginations while playing with the dough! Just make sure to thoroughly wash surfaces and their hands first… because this dough will turn into cookies when they’re all done playing.
The fun in this colorful play dough cookies recipe is that we can have fun first with measuring and mixing, then we create and play by building our play dough creations… and then when everyone is “play-doughed” out, we bake it into colorful sweet treats! And on top of it, the fruity scent and taste of the play dough cookies reminds me of Jolly Ranchers, so tutti-fruity… and so colorfully fun. I could only eat a few bites, but I have to say, the kids loved eating something that had so much fun making. I think this would be such a perfect activity and recipe for kids parties too!
Rainbow Play Dough Cookies Activity + Recipe
Colorful rainbow playdough that turn into deliciously fruity cookies! It's a recipe and activity in one!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
- 2 (or more) 3 oz. packages of jello
- Food coloring, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and cream of tarter. Gradually add flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Divide the dough into four sections. Sprinkle two tablespoons of jello onto each section and then knead the dough until combined. You can add a few drops of food coloring in, if you’d like the color to be more vibrant.
- Let kids knead and play with dough until you're ready to bake.
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls. If desired, you may roll the balls into the extra jello powder for a sweeter cookie.
- Place dough onto the baking sheet two inches apart. Flatten the dough with the bottom of the bowl to allow the cookies to cook evenly.
- Bake for 8 minutes. Remove cookies from the pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Recommended Products
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JELL-O Lemon Gelatin Dessert Mix (3 oz Box) -
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Wilton Perfect Results Cooling Rack, 3 Tier, Non-Stick -
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet (2 Pack), Silver -
McCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 219Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 76mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 3g
Stephanie says
These look so fun! I used to be such a neat freak and this activity would have made me uneasy just thinking about it. My two boys have slowly inched me away from being such an OCD. This a must try for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Angie says
This looks like so much fun. My kids would just love it! And I love the idea of keeping wipes in the kitchen for easy clean up. 🙂
Brittney Kubicki says
What a fun idea! I’ll have to whip some up during our rainy week we’re about to have! Your photos are gorgeous too ?
Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms says
These are so fun! I will have to try them with my daughter!
Amanda Elize says
What a sweet and fun way to make memories with your babes ☺️☺️❤️❤️
[email protected] says
It is always great to get the kids involved in the kitchen
Jessica Peresta says
How cute! My boys love helping me make cookies. This looks like so much fun!
Jenny @ Paint & Pillows says
OMG! What toddler doesn’t love Play doh AND cookies? My daughter will FLIP when I do this with her!
Lauren | also known as mama says
What a cute recipe! The colors are so vibrant!
Justine Y @ Little Dove says
This looks like such a fun idea to do with your little ones in the kitchen! And Huggies wipes are seriously the best, they’re just so useful!
laci says
how fun and cute is this!!!! so doing this ASAP love it all and BOTH kids will enjoy it thanks for the goodness!
Michele says
I love all the pictures in this post they really helped me feel a part of the fun. Now if I could only taste those cookies for real!
nicole says
These look so fun! I will have to try this with my two year old soon!!
Julie Borm says
What a fun activity with kiddos!
Sharon Chen says
Such a cute and fun activity! Iwant to try this, too!
hanna - platforms and pacifiers says
This looks like one awesome activity!!! My son LOVES baking so we will be doing this activity in the weeks to come!
Patricia says
I am really digging this idea!! I know my girls would flip and I guess I could mentally prepare for the mess as well. Lol. Also, Huggies Wipes are life!! They’re all we use!!
Sapana V says
These colorful cookies are looking awesome and making them is the real fun.
Kerry says
What a fun and delicious idea! My daughter would love this. Adding it to our list to try next week!
Lisa says
These look delicious and my kids would love this. Thanks for sharing!
Kari says
These cookies are adorable! The food dyebyou used works so well! Love it!
Lesly says
I am also a type-a personality and get cranky when messes arise. I loved what you said “messes will happen” so true! We need to let kids be little.
Amanda Maxwell says
Oh my goodness how fun!! I love this activity – so many sensory things met- touch, taste, sight! Love.
breyona says
colorful, messy, fun and yummy! All makes for a great time with the kiddos and an awesome cookie recipe. these will be great for the holidays!
Courtney Buteau says
This is the coolest craft! The kids look like they’re having so much fun! My children love to do anything that allows them to blend colors and pick their own. The wipes certainly do come in handy with a recipe like this, huh?! #client
Tamara Goyette says
Can’t go wrong with home made playdough and some good ol’ huggies wipes for clean up.
Katherine says
Fab photos, so adorable! And the cookie dough looks great fun!