DIY Project
About

Sensory play

Jello dig

Big toys trapped in wobbly gelatin for your toddler to squish, dig and rescue.

Jello dig
LevelBeginner
AgesAges 1 to 3
Time10 minutes prep, 4 hours setting, 20 minutes play
Cost$2 to $4
Rainy day

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

  • Find it →

Tools

How to make it

Safety

The hot step is grown-up only. Toys must be too big to fit in the mouth.

  1. Step 1: Make the gelatin
    1

    Make the gelatin

    Grown-up step: Mix the gelatin with boiling water as the box says. Add cold water.

  2. Step 2: Add the toys
    2

    Add the toys

    Drop the toys into the dish and pour the gelatin over.

  3. Step 3: Chill it
    3

    Chill it

    Chill for about 4 hours until set.

  4. Step 4: Dig
    4

    Dig

    Hand over spoons and hands. Let them squish to the toys.

Edie's tip

Use unflavored gelatin and a drop of food coloring for less sugar and less sticky.

Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake

More toddlers projects

Make this next

See all 100

Pumpkin washing station
Sensory play

Pumpkin washing station

A tub of soapy water, a few small pumpkins and a scrub brush, which is all a toddler needs for a happy half hour outside.

Beginner30 minutes$5 to $10
Jumbo egg shakers
Sensory play

Jumbo egg shakers

Big plastic eggs filled with rice and sealed tight, ready for a toddler kitchen band.

Beginner15 minutes plus glue setting$3 to $6
Egg hunt color match
Sensory play

Egg hunt color match

A backyard egg hunt where each egg goes in the basket that matches its color.

Beginner20 minutes$4 to $8