This activity is about the importance of play dough – simple homemade modeling dough that has surprising value for young children. Learn why play dough is such an important part of a good child care program and what you can do to make playing with play dough great for kids.
If appropriate, have the kids make the play dough with you. Kneading the dough and measuring ingredients are helpful for building fine motor and math skills. Give the children their own portion of dough and show them how to play with it. Encourage them to make their own creations, but remember: the “doing” is more important than the end product.
Add ingredients with different textures and scents for more sensory play: Kool-Aid, rice, sand, beads, cinnamon, extracts, glitter, etc.
Uncooked Play Dough: This recipe is easy and ideal if you care for younger children and don’t want to use a hot stove.
¼ cup salt
1 cup flour
¼ cup water
food coloring
Mix the salt and flour in a bowl. Add water and food coloring. Knead dough to make a clay consistency. Note: this dough doesn't last as long as the cooked recipe.
Cooked Play Dough
3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
6 tsp. Cream of Tarter
3 tbsp. oil
3 cups water
Pour all ingredients into a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms by pulling away from the sides. Knead the play dough until the texture matches play dough (1-2 minutes). This play dough can be stored for up to three months.
Oatmeal Clay
1 cup flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup water
Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. Slowly add water. Knead until smooth and uniform. This mixture is a bit sticky but is a different texture, therefore, a different sensory experience.
Bread Clay
7 slices bread with no crust torn into small pieces
7 teaspoons of white glue
½ teaspoon each of water and liquid dish soap
Knead the mixture until you get a nice clay consistency. To air dry this clay, it usually takes about 24 hours.
Gluten Free Play Dough
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water mixed with food coloring and extracts for scent, if desired
1 teaspoon cooking oil
Mix ingredients then cook on low until mixture forms a ball, about three minutes. Knead when cool enough. Store in a sealed container.
If appropriate, have the kids make the play dough with you. Kneading the dough and measuring ingredients are helpful for building fine motor and math skills. Give the children their own portion of dough and show them how to play with it. Encourage them to make their own creations, but remember: the “doing” is more important than the end product.
Add ingredients with different textures and scents for more sensory play: Kool-Aid, rice, sand, beads, cinnamon, extracts, glitter, etc.
Uncooked Play Dough: This recipe is easy and ideal if you care for younger children and don’t want to use a hot stove.
¼ cup salt
1 cup flour
¼ cup water
food coloring
Mix the salt and flour in a bowl. Add water and food coloring. Knead dough to make a clay consistency. Note: this dough doesn't last as long as the cooked recipe.
Cooked Play Dough
3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
6 tsp. Cream of Tarter
3 tbsp. oil
3 cups water
Pour all ingredients into a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms by pulling away from the sides. Knead the play dough until the texture matches play dough (1-2 minutes). This play dough can be stored for up to three months.
Oatmeal Clay
1 cup flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup water
Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. Slowly add water. Knead until smooth and uniform. This mixture is a bit sticky but is a different texture, therefore, a different sensory experience.
Bread Clay
7 slices bread with no crust torn into small pieces
7 teaspoons of white glue
½ teaspoon each of water and liquid dish soap
Knead the mixture until you get a nice clay consistency. To air dry this clay, it usually takes about 24 hours.
Gluten Free Play Dough
1/2 cup rice flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water mixed with food coloring and extracts for scent, if desired
1 teaspoon cooking oil
Mix ingredients then cook on low until mixture forms a ball, about three minutes. Knead when cool enough. Store in a sealed container.
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