I love, love, love the fall. And my kids love playdough (what kid doesn’t?). I love that my kids love playdough (well, kind of); it’s such a great sensory activity that can be incorporated into many learning activities. But it can be a little messy, which I’m not a fun of. After we clean up and put away the playdough bin, it never fails, I’m finding playdough stuck to the table and floor and little dried up pieces in the carpet days later.
Find FREE printable apple counting playdough mats below!
Anyways, what does playdough have to do with fall? Well, since my kids bounce off the walls whenever I pull out the playdough bin and it will keep them occupied for literally hours, I can’t get around NOT letting them play with it. So, if playdough is a must, I might as well make it smell pretty, especially with a scent that reminds me of my favorite time of the year.
If you are anything like me, you’ll love this recipe for homemade apple scented playdough. And your kids will have a blast playing with it. Just grab your best playdough tools and some fun printable playdough mats and your set for an enjoyable afternoon.
Sensory Benefits of Apple-Scented Playdough
Sensory play is an important part of early childhood development, and this apple-scented playdough adds a fun twist with its warm, fruity aroma. The combination of texture, color, and smell provides a full sensory experience that helps children engage more deeply in play.
- Smell stimulates memory and emotion – Scents like apple can evoke cozy, seasonal feelings and improve mood.
- Touch promotes motor development – Squishing, rolling, and molding helps strengthen little hand muscles.
- Color recognition – The vibrant red dough can spark conversations about apple varieties and fall colors.
- Calming effect – The gentle scent of apple can have a soothing impact, especially during quiet play.
- Focus and creativity – Multi-sensory input helps children stay engaged longer and explore imaginative play.
Fun Ways to Use Apple-Scented Playdough
Once your dough is made, there are endless ways to make it fun and educational!
- Pretend Apple Orchard – Set up a mini orchard using small baskets, pretend apple trees, and let kids “pick and sell” apples made from dough.
- Apple Pie Shop – Add rolling pins, pie tins, and cookie cutters so kids can bake and serve pretend pies.
- Stamping Fun – Press real apple slices, leaves, or textured objects into the dough for fun prints.
- Playdough Mats – Use the included printable apple counting mats or laminate your own to practice numbers and counting.
- Color Mixing – Make red, green, and yellow apple dough. Let kids experiment with mixing to discover new shades.
Tip: Add some cinnamon sticks, faux leaves, or apple-themed toys to your play tray for even more imaginative inspiration!
Learning Extensions to Use with Apple Playdough
This activity can be a great launching point for simple educational moments.
- Math Fun – Count apples made from dough, sort by size, or compare weights.
- Science Talk – Discuss how apples grow, the parts of an apple, or the states of matter when cooking dough.
- Literacy Time – Read apple-themed books like Ten Apples Up On Top or The Apple Pie Tree before or after playing.
- Art and Creativity – Sculpt faces into apples or create “apple people” using toothpicks, googly eyes, and yarn.
- Sensory Journaling – For older kids, have them write or draw what they smell, feel, and see when playing with the dough.
The Apple Pie Tree
Ten Apples Up On Top!How to Make an Apple Pie and See the WorldApple Farmer AnnieHow Do Apples Grow?The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree
More Apple-Themed Activities
If you’re looking to keep the apple-themed fun going, here are some more hands-on activities and crafts your kids will love. These ideas are perfect for fall, unit studies, or anytime you’re in the mood for some apple-inspired learning and play.
- Apple Sensory Painting Activity
- Apple-Scented Slime
- Apple Sun Catcher Craft
- Apple Cupcakes
- Apple Paper Plate Craft
How to Make Apple-Scented Playdough
Supplies/Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sale
- 2 Tablespoons cream of tarar
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3-4 drops red soap colorant
- 1 teaspoon apple flavoring
Directions:
1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, salt and cream of tartar to blend. Set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, add the water, oil, apple flavoring and red colorant. Stir to mix well. Pour the flour mixture into the pan and stir to incorporate.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until a stiff ball of dough forms (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat.
4. Lay your ball of playdough out on a level surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is soft and pliable. Enjoy the sweet, crisp aroma of apple!
5. This apple-scented playdough will give your kids hours of creative fun play as they shape the playdough into apples, apple pie, etc.
6. Store your apple-scented playdough in Ziploc bags or an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Apple Playdough
An easy homemade playdough recipe with the sweet, crisp aroma of apples.
Materials
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sale
- 2 Tablespoons cream of tarar
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3-4 drops red soap colorant
- 1 teaspoon apple flavoring
Instructions
1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, salt and cream of tartar to blend. Set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, add the water, oil, apple flavoring and
red colorant. Stir to mix well. Pour the flour mixture into the pan
and stir to incorporate.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until a stiff ball of dough forms (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat.
4. Lay your ball of playdough out on a level surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is soft and pliable. Enjoy the sweet, crisp aroma of apple!
5. This apple-scented playdough will give your kids hours of
creative fun play as they shape the playdough into apples, apple pie,
etc.
6. Store your apple-scented playdough in Ziploc bags or an airtight container for up to 3 months.
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Storage & Troubleshooting Tips
To keep your apple-scented playdough fresh for as long as possible, here are a few tips:
Storage:
- Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag to prevent drying out.
- Add a label with the date so you know how long it’s been stored.
- Keep in a cool, dry place — not the fridge (moisture can encourage mold).
Troubleshooting:
- Too sticky? Add a little more flour and knead until smooth.
- Too dry or crumbly? Work in a teaspoon of oil or warm water.
- Lost its scent? Add a drop of apple flavoring or essential oil and knead it in.
- Color faded? Mix a small amount of food coloring with water and knead it in carefully.
- Moldy or off-smelling? Discard and make a fresh batch. Always wash hands before play to extend dough life!
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