Have some family fun this Fall with no cook pumpkin playdough. Made with just three pantry staples and in about 5 minutes you can have fun for hours, if not days while smelling like pumpkin pie.
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My kids adore homemade playdough, and this pumpkin spice version has been a big hit this fall, especially since I've been stocking up on canned pumpkin.
While usually reserved for edibles like Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer, Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies, or Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake, playing with food can be fun too.
Making pumpkin playdough with canned pumpkin ensures the perfect fall color and scent. Plus, it's safe for kids who tend to taste-test. My son will try anything, so knowing he's not ingesting toxins or excessive salt is a relief.
For more playdough recipes, try our Coffee Playdough Recipe, Banana Playdough.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy. Just mix a few ingredients together, and it's done. Ready to be used within moments. How cool is that?
- No cooking is required. This pumpkin playdough recipe is no cook. Just grab a bowl and a spoon. Perfect for hot days, lazy days, and every day in between.
- Safe ingredients. Everything about this play dough is edible, and while it may not taste great, parents can feel more confident in knowing it's safe.
🛒 Ingredients
Disclaimer: While this recipe is made using edible ingredients found within your home, I do not recommend purposefully feeding your child this product. If they choose to take a lick or small taste they should be just fine, but this product is meant to be something to play with and not to eat. Thanks!
Pumpkin puree- This is the base of the recipe and used to create that orange color and real fresh pumpkin smell.
Pumpkin pie spice- Added to give us a nice warm and inviting smell like in pumpkin pie.
Cornstarch- This is the thickening agent used to hold it all together. Using cornstarch instead of flour also helps to make this recipe gluten free.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Pumpkin Pie Spice: If you're out, use 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Or make your own: mix 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ginger, and ¼ teaspoon cloves or allspice. Store up to 3 months.
Cornstarch Substitute: Use flour if you have no cornstarch. Add a little at a time until the dough reaches the right consistency.
Add-Ins: For a sensory boost, mix in items like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, rice, dry pasta, dried beans, or cinnamon sticks. Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds can also be used.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Make Your Own Spice Blend: If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, mix cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice instead of buying a full jar.
Buy in Season: Pumpkin puree is cheapest during fall and often marked down after holidays, making it a great time to stock up.
Stretch the Cornstarch: Start with the lower amount and add only what you need. This helps avoid opening a new container before it's necessary.
🥄 Instructions for Pumpkin Spice Playdough
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree with the pumpkin pie spice and 2 cups of cornstarch until combined.
Step 2: Slowly add in more cornstarch if needed until the consistency of the playdough is reached. You may not need all of the cornstarch.
Step 3: Once mixed, enjoy a few hours of play before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Children can use edible pumpkin playdough to sculpt various shapes, figures, or even create small pumpkin-themed items. It encourages creativity and fine motor skills.
Playing with edible playdough provides sensory stimulation, helping children explore textures, colors, and scents while promoting tactile development.
Yes, edible pumpkin playdough can be used as a learning tool by incorporating counting, shape recognition, and other educational activities during play.
Yes, you can create different flavors and scents by using ingredients like cocoa powder for chocolate playdough or peppermint extract for a minty version.
🍽️ More Fun Stuff You'll Love
- Coffee Playdough Recipe$1.00
- Banana PlaydoughRecipe $2.00
- Play Dough CookiesRecipe $3.30 / Serving $0.28
- Homemade Cheese CrackersRecipe $2.68 / Serving $0.45
🐝 If you tried this No Cook Pumpkin Playdough, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
No Cook Pumpkin Playdough
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2-3 cups cornstarch, start with 2 cups and add more as needed
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Stir to combine.
- Add 2 cups of cornstarch and mix until the texture begins to form a soft dough.
- Gradually add up to 1 additional cup of cornstarch, a little at a time, until the dough reaches a smooth, playdough-like consistency. (You may not need the full amount.)
- Once the dough is soft, pliable, and no longer sticky, it's ready to use.
- After playtime, store the pumpkin playdough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Pumpkin pie spice: Substitute with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon or a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and allspice.
- Cornstarch: Replace with flour, adjusting the amount gradually for desired consistency.
- Add-Ins: Enhance sensory experience by incorporating edible items like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, rice, dry pasta noodles, beans, or cinnamon sticks.
Nicole Durham says
Sorry about that, I'm in the middle of updating the recipe to make it more frugal and fun. But here's the original recipe:
In a large mixing bowl combine 1 can (15oz) pumpkin puree with 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice and 2 cups of cornstarch until combined. Slowly add in more cornstarch (up to 1 cup) if needed until the consistency of playdough. You may not need all of the cornstarch. Once mixed, enjoy a few hours of play before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.