n this hands-on invitation, your toddler will mix, squish, and shape their own batch of apple-scented playdough — building fine motor skills, exploring seasonal scents, and engaging in rich, sensory play. Inspired by our September theme Falling Into Learning, this activity pairs perfectly with apple-themed stories and pretend play. Whether you’re following our full curriculum or just looking for a fall sensory win, this recipe is easy, low-prep, and always a favorite.
This activity is part of our free September homeschool curriculum for 3-year-olds. Click here to explore the full monthly plan.
🧠 Skills Your Child Is Building:
- Fine motor: Rolling, pinching, shaping dough
- Sensory processing: Engaging touch + smell
- Imagination: Pretend baking, apple-themed play
- Language: Descriptive vocabulary (soft, squishy, sweet, spicy)
🎥 Watch It in Action
See exactly how we make it in this quick step-by-step video:
📝 Easy Apple Playdough Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup salt
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tbsp apple pie spice or cinnamon
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- Red food coloring (optional)
- A few drops of apple-scented oil or extract (optional but magical!)
Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Dough
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the dough begins to form a ball and pulls away from the pan.
Step 2: Knead It
Let it cool slightly, then knead the dough on a flat surface until smooth.
Step 3: Time to Play!
Enjoy the warm, cozy scent of fall. 🍎 Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
🧠 Learning Through Play
This activity supports:
- Fine motor skill development
- Sensory integration
- Imaginative and independent play
🖨️ Want a Printable Version?
Use the easy print button to save this recipe and bring it out every fall!
Apple Scented Playdough
Ingredients
- 1 cup of flour (plus extra for kneading)
- 1 cup of water
- 1/4 cup salt
- ½ Tbsp oil
- 1 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- Red Food Coloring
Instructions
- Because this is a cooked recipe, get a saucepan ready and measure all of your ingredients before starting.
- Place a cutting board nearby with flour sprinkled on it – set aside.
- Place all dry ingredients (flour, salt, cream of tartar, nutmeg, cinnamon) in a bowl and mix well. Then place in the sauce pan. You can do all of this directly in the saucepan for less cleanup
- On a separate bowl, mix all the wet ingredients (water, oil, food coloring) and mix well.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix over medium/low heat
- Cook the playdough and mix constantly until the playdough starts sticking together forming a ball
- Remove from heat and place over the cutting board that’s covered in flour and start kneading with two wooden spoons.
- Knead the playdough using the spoons until the playdough has cool down and you can continue kneading with your hand.
- Sprinkle flour (1 Tbsp at a time) if you find the playdough feels sticky and it is sticking to your fingers.
- When you get the consistency where the playdough is no longer sticking to your hands you are done.
- If you added too much flour and the playdough is breaking up, just add 1 Tbsp of warm water until you get the right texture.
✏️ Extend the Activity
Pair this playdough with our Fall Playdough Mats for added learning fun! Use apple cookie cutters, play knives, or even real cinnamon sticks to enhance the experience.
🖨️ Fall Playdough Mats – $5
Add to cart and spark creativity all season long!
💬 Final Thoughts
If fall had a scent, this playdough would be it. It’s not quite as soft as our softest-ever recipe — but the cozy smell and rich texture are worth it.
📚 Want More Activities Like This?
This activity is part of our Free September Curriculum for 2-Year-Olds, where we explore emotions, routines, and seasonal play in a simple, 3-day weekly rhythm.
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