Jelly messy play (without gelatin)

[LadyC]

Hi all,

I wanted to do a messy play activity with jelly, setting small toys into jelly and letting LO explore. However, her dad is muslim and the parents don't want her to eat pork products and little as se eats at mealtimes, I think it would be inevitable that she will try to eat the jelly. Is there such a thing as gelatin-free jelly?!! I realise I could freeze toys in ice for a similar exploration activity but am becoming obsessed with finding a jelly alternative. Or am I over-thinking this and need to let the idea go?!!

[loocyloo]

there is something called agar agar, which is vegetarian gelatin. made from seaweed i think!

not sure where you would buy it, my first thought would be a health food shop.

good luck.

have fun.

DD has a veggie friend and i've just discovered that haribo do ONE type of jelly sweet that is suitable for veggies think they are called 'funny' mix ... in an orange bag! rather yummy!

[LadyC]

Thanks Loocyloo, that is massively helpful! Plus, we have a chinese supermarket which may well sell this - and it's en route to the scrapstore - like I needed an excuse... You may have just made my week!!

Good tip re Haribos too, altho the LO is 16 months so I may avoid for now...

Thanks again, knew someone on here would have the answer.

[loocyloo]

Thanks Loocyloo, that is massively helpful! Plus, we have a chinese supermarket which may well sell this - and it's en route to the scrapstore - like I needed an excuse... You may have just made my week!!

.

glad to help!

[aunt sally]

You will also find a lot of the supermarkets own brand of jelly crystals in a packet are also vegetarian e.g Asda. They are fine as long as they are mixed really well. Have fun.

[JulieA]

My teenager is vegetarian and I buy her jelly crystals from ASDA - the company is Just Wholefood. Great jelly but takes slightly longer to set.

[lisa1968]

there is a play resourse you can get called Gelli-baff.My kids loved it! You mix it with water and its just like chopped jelly-and to get rid of it theres a sachet of powder that you sprinkle on it and it turns back to water so you can just pour it away.Great stuff!

[miffy]

there is a play resourse you can get called Gelli-baff.My kids loved it! You mix it with water and its just like chopped jelly-and to get rid of it theres a sachet of powder that you sprinkle on it and it turns back to water so you can just pour it away.Great stuff!

And it's not sticky like real jelly

Miffy xx

[Cariad]

Holland & Barratt used to do veggie jelly crystals, but I haven't looked in there for a while. My local ASDA used to do some but they no longer stock it. It was in powder form, not in a block.
There's also vegi-gel which is an alternative to gelatine that can be used in cooking - no lovely fruity smell though, you'd have to add that to it.

[Trpta108]

Waitrose sells agar agar and health shops usually have a vegetarian jelly.
Does Gelli-baff not have gelatine in it? I have seen it in catalogues, but didn't want to buy it as it didn't say the ingredients. Does it say on the pack?

[miffy]

Waitrose sells agar agar and health shops usually have a vegetarian jelly.
Does Gelli-baff not have gelatine in it? I have seen it in catalogues, but didn't want to buy it as it didn't say the ingredients. Does it say on the pack?

I don't know - try a google search for the ingredients or e-mail the manufacturers

Miffy xx

[lisa1968]

have checked the box-no gelatine x

[sillysausage]

My only concern with the jelly crystals is that they are usually 'sugar free' and contain artificial sweeteners, therefore (according to information from the Children's Food Advisory Service) not recommended for under 3's.