Carrot Cake Playdough

If you have spent any time with Annie the Porcupine, you already know one important thing about her...

She loves carrot cake! Not just a little. Not just sometimes. It is her favorite. The kind of treat that brings comfort, joy, and a whole lot of love. And isn't that what we want our classrooms to feel like too? Warm, and welcoming. Full of little moments that stay with our students long after the day is over.

That is why this carrot cake scented playdough will become a quick favorite. It is more than just a sensory activity. It is an experience. One that smells like cinnamon and sweetness, feels soft in little hands, and opens the door to imagination, storytelling, and connection.

Carrot Cake Scented Playdough

• ·       1C Flour

• ·       ½ C Salt

• ·       1 T Cream of Tarter

• ·       1 T Oil

• ·       1 C Water

• ·       1 t Cinnamon

• ·       ¼ t Nutmeg

• ·       1 t vanilla

• ·       2 T Finally grated carrot

• ·       Orange Food Coloring

Directions

1.      In a medium saucepan, combine flour, salt, cream of tarter, cinnamon and nutmeg.

2.      Add water, oil, vanilla and food coloring.

3.      Cook over medium heat stirring constantly. Stir until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.

4.      Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

5.      Start kneading adding the carrots as you knead until fully mixed in.

6.      Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible.

With the carrots, your playdough will only last about a week. Do not refrigerate because the playdough will get still and it won't extend the carrots.

If you want the playdough to be longer-lasting, you can skip the carrots and add extra cinnamon and color for the look and smell.

The truth is, our students do not remember every worksheet, lesson or activity. But they will remember, the day the room smelled like carrot cake. Because if Annie the Porcupine has taught us anything it is that the smallest sweetest moments are the ones that matter most. If she was there, she would be right in the middle. Rolling, shaping smiling and sneaking a few pretend bites of carrot cake.