Let’s make homemade playdough out of Peeps candy!
Around the Easter holiday is the best time to get Peeps candy because on average about 2 billion Peeps are sold each year. According to a Leavitt Group study, 49% of the respondents would not eat Peeps. So not only is this playdough recipe fun, colorful and a great activity for kids…if you are part of the 49% we are recycling something you don’t want!
Easy Peeps Playdough Recipe
Our kids recently got a big box of Peeps and we already had so much candy in the house. The Peeps reminded me a little of our Peanut Butter Playdough recipe which used three ingredients and made edible, candy-like, playdough.
Let’s make an edible playdough with Peeps!
Watch Our Short Video on How to Make Peeps Playdough
3 Ingredients You Need to Make Peeps Easter Candy Play Dough
- 3 Peeps – one color works best
- 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
- 3 Tablespoons of Powdered Sugar (and some more for dusting)
Each “recipe” makes enough for one child. Repeat the recipe for additional kids and so you can use the other Peep colors.
Instructions to Make Peeps Playdough
- Stick the peeps and the coconut oil in the microwave for 10 seconds, just enough to watch the peeps “grow” with the heat.
- Add the powdered sugar and stir.
- As you stir in the bowl, the dough should begin pulling away from the edges.
- Lightly dust your lump with powdered sugar, and work out any additional lumps in your dough with your hands.
- If your dough is too sticky, add more powdered sugar. If the dough cracks, add a touch more oil.
How Peeps Playdough Turns Out
This is essentially marshmallow fondant. It tastes even better if you use the flavored Peeps. We had a box of blue raspberry – boy it was yummy!
How to Store Peeps Playdough
Your child can play with the marshmallow play dough as normal play dough, but it does not store well.
We have used ours two days later, after storing it in a ziplock baggie, but it was pretty stiff – good for cutting practice (scissors are *SO* much fun for toddlers), but not as pliable as day #1.
Adding Texture to Peeps Playdough Recipe
Want to add some texture to your dough? We had fun adding coconut flakes, chocolate chip shavings, and candy sprinkles.
Do you like this post but think it has too much sugar? Check out this version by Still Playing School. They use cornstarch as their “thickening agent”.
Peeps Playdough Recipe
Make homemade candy play dough with this fun Peeps Playdough recipe for kids. And it is so fun, you will want to make a batch for yourself. Super easy and quick to do because it only has 3 ingredients! Sticky, squishy fun for play.
Materials
- 3 Peeps – one color works best
- 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
- 3 Tablespoons of Powdered Sugar (and some more for dusting)
Tools
- Microwave
- Bowl
- Spoon or stick for stirring
Instructions
- Place the Peeps and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 10 second intervals until the candy Peeps "grow" with heat.
- Add powdered sugar and stir until it starts pulling away from the bowl's edge.
- Dust hands with powdered sugar and knead out any more lumps.
Notes
Add powdered sugar if the dough is too sticky. Add more oil if it starts to crack.
More Homemade Playdough Recipes from Kids Activities Blog
Even if you don’t have Peeps candy on hand, we have a ton of ideas of how you can make homemade playdough right now…
More Edible Playdough Recipes
- Make homemade pasta playdough
- Birthday cake playdough recipe – great for a birthday party activity or goodie bag filler
- Another 3 ingredient playdough recipe that is edible!
- Think of this recipe as the Peppermint Patty playdough – yum!
More Traditional Homemade Playdough Recipes
- Twist your white playdough with red playdough into a candy cane ornament
- Make Kool Aid Playdough…it is fun and colorful
- Try this “sick day” playdough which is playdough with essential oils to help everyone feel better or the unwinding playdough which is essential oil playdough!
- Homemade pumpkin playdough smells amazing
- Make easy cornstarch playdough
- Make a melting dough that is super fun to play with…
- And one of my favorites is the soft playdough recipe. It feels amazing.
- Don’t miss our BEST playdough recipe!
Extra Peeps? Try our Peeps Rice Krispie treats! They are yummy.
What did your kids think about edible play dough, the first time they played with it? Comment below!
What is peep? And what could i use instead of it?
I live I New Zealand and sometimes we call things by different names or they don’t exist here lol
My son is allergic to coconut could i use olive oil?
Peeps are a colored (in this case blue) sugar coated marshmallow shaped like a baby chick, usually available around Easter here in the states. They are the three blue things you see in the picture in the far left bowl with the other ingredients listed.
Most commonly they are yellow, but they have since begun to create other colors and flavors.
Great idea by the way. I’m going to make some tonight with the kids 🙂 Thanks!
Sorry Marie, I actually attempted to respond in my comment.. but Peeps are a colored (in this case blue) sugar coated marshmallow shaped like a baby chick, usually available around Easter here in the states. They are the three blue things you see in the picture in the far left bowl with the other ingredients listed.
Most commonly they are yellow, but they have since begun to create other colors and flavors.
My kid and I are allergic too coconut and I can’t touch it can I ues Olive oil
If you can’t use coconut oil use a little crisco…that’s what I use to make marshmallow fondant…and to store wrap it tightly in plastic wrap twice…after setting for awhile just microwave it for about 5-10 seconds and kneed it back to life with a little more coconut oil or crisco…marshmallow fondant lasts a long time…I keep my extras for months just to snack on and practice making new things lol.
I love this activity! I am a former preschool teacher turned Homeschool Momma and no Nonna to two of the most wonderful toddlers around! I like this because it is safe to eat, however, it is a safe way to teach children NOT to eat it. This is in no way a daily activity, but a great teaching tool!!
is there a substitution for the peeps? or can you just use normal marshmallows?
Yes, go ahead and use regular marshmallows. Generally, use half as much marshmallow to sugar by weight and add some food colour. What you’re making here is essentially marshmallow fondant.
Yes, It should be fine.
Marie or if someone can tell her I would be happy to mail her some Peeps If she can’t find any.
When I make marshmallow fondant for cakes I use Crisco. So you could try that instead of the coconut oil
Marie, Peeps are made in my hometown of Bethlehem, Pa. I know they ship to many countries, made by Just Born Candy Co. I’ll try to see if they’re shipped and sold in New Zealand. If you can’t find them, let me know and I’ll send you some. Patti
Merci pour cette idée !! Thank you for this recipe. I am a children minder in France, I will try this. It could be fun with little kids 😉 .
For anyone that suggested the crisco..do u know how much crisco to use as it relates to this recepie? Also I have never used crisco. How do I get it to liquid form?
Thank you very much for this post and recipe. Not an everyday dough but what fun…just like playing with bubblegum. I used regular cooking oil instead of coconut oil and it worked great. I mixed up two batches one with the powder sugar and one using the alternate you posted of with cornstarch. I like the squish of the cornstarch my husband liked the sugar version for its stretch-ability. I now combined them to hopefully get the best of both. Now the true test…let the children try it. Thank you again. Happy creating.
I tried peeps pkwy dough with my two grandsons ages 4 and 6. They enjoyed watching the peeps grow on the microwave. The coconut oil was too oily for my grandson with sensory issues. He refused to touch it. I put the mixture in a plastic zippy bag along with the powdered sugar for him to smash. The other boy played with mixture only for a short time. I think the “cuteness” of this activity got me all hyped up and I was somewhat disappointed with their non-excitement. Oh well, another adventure at grama’s house.
What a great idea! My kids would love it! Thank you for linking up to the Thoughtful Spot Blog Hop.
I have got to make this with my kids, they would love it. Thanks for linking up at Tell Me About It Tuesday. We hope you hop over and share with us again next week.
What a great idea to contribute to the diabetic problem around the world. Yah lets through our kids into diabetic shock, brilliant.. Keep up the great work folks fun fun for the whole family lol
make crafts as easy 123. valentines day crafts ,school buses in crafts.
i have any promlbes .pretty neat page.
Yes, Bds, because a one-time marshmallow fondant activity is the reason for juvenile diabetes and obesity. Not lifestyle, but a fun little activity for a kid to do once a year. Please, keep educating us about health and nutrition. I’m pretty sure the AMA and the other powers that be have got it all wrong.
Stephanie..I think your response is perfect to “Bds” and this is an awsome activity for children.
Another great tasty Easter treat..jello rice crispy or popcorn eggs. Heated flavored 1 1/2cup water to one package jello, brought to heat thinkend. Pour over and stir..when cooled alittle form oval egg shaped treats. Enjoy
How sticky will the end product become…. cleanup?
I have a question was wondering if anyone knows if coconut is in the nut or peanut family because my son is allergic to all peanuts and nuts?
I am a cake decorater and I make this all the time. But in larger quantities. You can use any kind of marshmallows. I have a son with autism so this is great for him cause he can eat it with no worries.
Really? You are just a ray of sunshine aren’t you. Most parents and grandparents aren’t going to hand the child the blob of this and allow them to eat the entire thing. It is so they can roll, and shape it (like play dough) and if they happen to sneak a bite (which most kids do, even with play dough) it won’t harm them. Even if they do eat the whole thing, it is 3 peeps, unless they are already diabetic this will not THROW (I assume through=throw in your mind) them into a diabetic anything. 5 peeps have 34g of carbs and 36g of sugar, (less than 2 apples or 2 bananas GASP!!!). This isn’t an activity to do everyday, but peeps are most popular at Easter time, so I seriously doubt this activity once or twice a year is going to hurt anyone! Lighten up, life SUCKS when you get your panties in a wad over a freaking piece of marshmallow! There is NOTHING wrong with letting your children have a little fun. Do you let them have cake or cookies once in awhile? Do you let them lick the spoon or the bowl? Stop worrying about how dangerous marshmallow is and make some damn HAPPY memories with your children (or grandchildren)! Trust me, years down the road they will remember the day you spent playing with peep play dough!
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We’ve never made edible playdough before but this recipe looks super easy and I don’t have to worry about them eating it if they so choose! Thanks for sharing and for linking up with us over at Tell it To Me Tuesday! We hope to see you linking up with us again next week!
I love this idea with peeps. But the peeps do look a little sad in the bowl. lol Thanks so much for sharing at Mom’s Library this week. I have featured these @Pounds4Pennies and would love for you to visit this week to share your posts.
My three year old daughter has Type 1 Diabetes. In NO way shape or form does juvenile Diabetes/Type 1 Diabetes have anything to do with sugar. Only in treatment and then it still isn’t sugar alone it is carbs. My daughters Diabetes is autoimmune. It is either autoimmune or genetic. I NEVER let my daughter over indulge in any junk food and never have. There are 13 months olds that get diagnosed. Do you think there parents were already shoving ice cream down there throats? Please educate yourself before lecturing someone on providing their children with a fun childhood. My daughter and I are going to make peep playdoh in three different kinds right now! You better bet we will be tasting all three! Again please educate yourself on the difference between type one with children (and adults in some cases) and type 2.
just made this for my 2 homeschoolers ages 10 and 4. They are having fun with it. It did turn out very oily and slimy. i had to add a lot more powdered sugar to it. but once it came together they really liked it. i used the peeps bunnies so i am not sure if thats what threw mine off a bit but anyway they are having fun and and it smells really good. they think its hysterical that they can still see the peeps chocolate eyes so as they play they are trying to find the eyes. thank you for sharing. its a great fun for a rainy day.
Dawn–coconut is in the tree nut family, so you would not want to make this with coconut oil. Try shortening. It definitely won’t taste as good, but will still be good enough.
Made this just a few minutes ago and the kids really don’t want to wait until after dinner, but I’m a mean mom. 😉
Thank you for a super fun and delicious activity!!!
Carrie, coconuts aren’t tree nuts….they are in the same botanical family as peaches and mangoes (drupes). A nut allergy doesn’t typically mean a coconut allergy as well.
This was great. My eight month old LOVED it! (and she only snuck like five bites lol) Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for sharing this fun activity with See Ya in the Gumbo. It brought back memories of when I used to make homemade play dough for my son, who is now 12. I wish I would have known about his back then! So fun to switch things up now and then and use peeps!
Thanks for the great idea. Sadly it wasn’t a hit in our home. I was so excited to do this as a fun activity while they were on spring break but after putting almost a cup of powdered sugar into each ball it was still to oily for my kids..they didn’t even want to touch it. 🙁
If you do this they have flavored peeps now a days and it does not work so well. I done it for my son and baby brother for easter. They loved it except the flavored kind I used.
Could this be turned into a fondant I assume so since peeps r marshmallows where do u get coconut oil ?
Bd’s you really need to check things out before you start running your mouth. The sugarless candy people give their children is worse for them then regular candy is in moderation. And a responsible parents knows their childs limits, and this is about doing fun things with your children/grandchildren making memories not about eating candy, truth be known we teach our children/grandchildren not to eat play dough. Duh are I do any way.