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Not only do our kids love to make this apple-scented play dough, but so do I! Just like our pumpkin pie play dough, this one smells great!  It reminds me of fall when I walk into the kitchen where they are playing and building.

A person holding a Play dough shaped fruit.

This Apple Scented Play Dough is fun… and it smells amazing!

I love to find ways for the kids to play and create when they are home and play dough is one of my favorite. Plus there are so many benefits of playing with playdough, from helping to enhance fine motor skill to developing pre-print skills. Those aren’t the only reasons that we use it though… it’s just fun!  The kids love to come up with fun characters and shapes.  It’s calming and soothing and brings out the creative side of anyone.

Red play dough made to look like red apples.

How to make Apple-Scented Playdough

This recipe takes about 10 minutes total (5 minutes of prep time and 5 minutes of cook time).  It’s pretty easy to make and you can store it for several days to use again and again.

Red play dough with text above it.

Apple Scented Play Dough Ingredients
Apple Scented Play Dough 3

  • 1 cup flour
  • ¼ cup salt
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red food coloring

Balls a red play dough decorated to look like apples.

Optional materials for sensory play:

  • Thin sticks for apple stems
  • Leaves

Apple Scented Play Dough Directions

Red play dough  in a pan with a white plastic spoon.

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the flour, salt, cream of tartar, nutmeg and
cinnamon. Stir until incorporated.
2. Add water, olive oil, red food coloring and stir continually until mixture thickens and begins to
form a ball.

A close up of red play dough balls, twigs and leaves to make play dough apples.


3. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
4. Place the cooled play dough on a non-stick surface and knead until the color is consistent
throughout the dough and the texture is smooth.
5. Optional: find thin sticks and leaves from outside and place them in the ball of dough to make
them look like real apples with stems and leaves.

A close up of a hands holding red play dough apple craft.

Note: Store in an airtight container to prevent drying. If the play dough does start to dry out,
add a little olive oil and knead.

HAVE FUN! 

MORE PLAY DOUGH IDEAS ⇓

When you are done with the apple-scented play dough, check out a few more favorites, like Candy Cane Play Dough and Pumpkin Pie Play Dough!

5 from 2 votes

Ingredients 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • ¼ cup salt
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red food coloring
  • Optional materials for sensory play:
  • Thin sticks for apple stems
  • Leaves

Instructions 

Directions:

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the flour, salt, cream of tartar, nutmeg and
  • cinnamon. Stir until incorporated.
  • Add water, olive oil, red food coloring and stir continually until mixture thickens and begins to
  • form a ball.
  • Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
  • Place the cooled play dough on a non-stick surface and knead until the color is consistent
  • throughout the dough and the texture is smooth.
  • Optional: find thin sticks and leaves from outside and place them in the ball of dough to make
  • them look like real apples with stems and leaves.

Notes

Note: Store in an airtight container to prevent drying. If the play dough does start to dry out, add a little olive oil and knead.

Additional Info

Tried this recipe?Mention @yourmodernfamily or tag #yourmodernfamily!

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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