While the weather has not changed much here in South Carolina, the excitement of a new season and the anticipation of Fall days is creating a bit of excitement in our house. I’m continually reminded with each changing season the beauty of being intentional and present, because whether I like it or not each season passes oh so quickly.

This Fall I’m hoping to connect intentionally with other mamas in our community by hosting more purposeful play dates. That’s why I’m so excited to share this idea for the perfect Fall Play Date—Allergy Friendly Style. Get ready to have fun with your kiddos and welcome a new season with this Gluten Free Allergy Friendly Play Dough Kit. It’s the perfect addition to your Fall activity list and since it’s gluten free, all of your little friends can participate in the fun.

How to Create an Allergy Friendly Play Dough Kit for the Perfect Fall Play Date

Step 1: Make the Gluten Free Play Dough

In order to create these kits, you’ll first need to make the gluten free play dough. This recipe is super easy and creates a soft, vibrant play dough. I love how it’s gluten free so that all of our friends with gluten allergies can play too.

Gluten Free Play Dough Ingredients

• 1 Cup Baking Soda
• ½ Cup Corn Starch
• ¾ Cup Water
• Gel Food Coloring
• Silpat Mat or Wax Paper

We followed this Easy Gluten Free Play Dough recipe to create the dough. I did add about a tsp of coconut oil to the mixture to make our dough even softer. If the dough is too sticky you can knead in corn starch about a teaspoon at a time. Be careful not to add too much though, because it can make the dough too dry. I did find that if you your dough gets too dry, you can always add a little bit of water to get the correct consistency.

Step 2: Assemble your Kit

Once you’ve made your play dough you’re ready to assemble the kit! We used a bead box with removable dividers to create ours, but you could also use tupperware to create an individual kit for each guest.

Next up, gather some leaves, acorns, and pine cones! You could find the nature objects ahead of time or as an added activity, when your play date friends arrive you could go on a nature hunt to gather them together.  

Play Dough Kit Materials

• Bead Box
• Gluten Free Play Dough
• Wooden Rolling Pins 
• Fall Cookie Cutters
• Nature Objects (Pine Cones, Leaves, Acorns, Sticks, Rocks)

Step 3: Set up the Table and Encourage Guests to Explore and Play with the Fall Play Dough Kit

One of my favorite things about this activity is that it truly encourages open ended play. There’s so many ways for little ones to explore, discover and imagine with this kit! I’m always amazed by the creative ideas that kiddos come up with. In case you need additional ideas here’s a few of our favorite ways to play with this kit:

• Roll each object onto the play dough and explore the different patterns that each object makes.
• Build something with the play dough using the sticks.
• Use a cookie cutter to create leaves and then decorate them using the leaves, acorns, and sticks.

Now it’s no secret that a play date just wouldn’t be complete without some delicious snacks. Am I right? If you are planning to host a play date that is allergy friendly, you’re in luck because I’ve teamed up with the amazing Ashley from Veggies and Virtue to give you the BEST peanut free playdate snack ideas.

I absolutely love all of Ashley’s peanut free snack ideas. Now you’re set to host the PERFECT Fall playdate complete with a simple allergy friendly activity and snack. If you have any other tried and true allergy friendly play date activities please share below. Happy playdate planning, friend!

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