Cinnamon Playdough Recipe

There’s nothing like the scent of cinnamon to bring that cozy fall feeling into your home, and this Cinnamon Swirl Playdough is the perfect way to mix sensory fun with the season’s favorite spice. Kids will love squishing and shaping the dough while enjoying the warm, comforting scent of cinnamon. It’s a great activity to engage their senses, from the texture of the dough to the inviting aroma that fills the air. Plus, it’s easy to make and provides hours of creative playtime.

This playdough recipe is perfect for a fall afternoon at home or even as an autumn-themed classroom activity. The soft and pliable texture makes it ideal for little hands to knead, roll, and shape, while the cinnamon scent adds an extra layer of fun. Whether used with cinnamon sticks, leaves, acorns, or other natural elements, it’s a simple way to bring a touch of fall into everyday play.

Why You’ll Love This Fall Sensory Activity

You’ll love this Cinnamon Swirl Playdough because it captures the essence of fall in a fun, hands-on activity that’s perfect for little ones. The playdough’s softness makes it easy for kids to mold and shape, while the inviting cinnamon scent adds a sensory experience that’s hard to resist. It’s an activity that combines creativity, fine motor skill development, and the joy of fall—all in one.

What You’ll Need

• 2 cups of white all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of salt
• 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon extract
• 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin (optional, for extra softness)
• 1 to 1.5 cups of boiling water
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
• 1-2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
• Cinnamon sticks, leaves, acorns, and other tools for playing
• Stand mixer with dough hook or large bowl and spoon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine the dry ingredients:
   In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and ground cinnamon (you can either add the cinnamon now or later). Stir well to make sure everything is evenly combined.

2. Add the wet ingredients:
   Add the cooking oil, cinnamon extract, and vegetable glycerin (if using) to the dry mixture. Mix thoroughly.

3. Gradually add the boiling water:
   Pour in 1 boiling water slowly, while continuously mixing. If you’re using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment. If mixing by hand, stir vigorously with a spoon. Adjust the amount of water as needed to get a smooth, pliable dough. Only add the remain gin 1/2 cup of water as needed a little bit at a time.

4. Knead the dough:
   Let the dough cool slightly, then knead it by hand for a few minutes until it’s soft and smooth. If the dough feels sticky, add a little more flour until you get the desired consistency.

5. Add the swirl effect (optional):
   To create a “swirl” effect, sprinkle a bit of extra ground cinnamon onto the surface of the dough and knead gently, leaving streaks of cinnamon throughout.

6. Let the play begin:
   Give kids cinnamon sticks, leaves, acorns, or other natural elements to press into the dough and explore. They can roll it, flatten it, and shape it in all sorts of fun ways.

7. Store properly:
   When playtime is over, store the playdough in an airtight container to keep it fresh for future use. It can last for several weeks when stored correctly.

This Cinnamon Swirl Playdough brings a little bit of fall magic into your child’s playtime, offering an engaging sensory experience that will leave everyone in the autumn spirit.

Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon. 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy here.

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.