Running out of ideas for how to make play dough interesting for your little one? Today we have 5 fun Spring & Easter playdough activities using this beautiful pastel coloured dough (best-recipe-ever included!)
We all know the benefits for children of playing with play dough. It builds fine-motor skills, allows for creative expression, and builds spatial and shape-sense.
But… are your kiddos tired of playing with the same old tools? Mine was! So – I decided to try to mix it up a bit! Try some of today’s ideas for a fun, Spring and Easter playdough make-over!
Idea #1: Stick Things Into It
Provide some fun “spring-like” materials such as: feathers, butterfly floral picks, flowers, pompoms, ladybug woodsies, and of course – googly eyes!
Idea #2: Hide Things in the Dough
Onetime loves it when I hide things in his play dough. We tried: little plastic easter eggs filled with little surprises (marbles and wiggly things), Easter bunny wood-sies, glass beads, and ladybugs.
One thing I have learned through teaching is that sometimes how well you catch the child’s attention at the beginning can predict how well they will engage in the activity.
That’s why I rolled up my playdough like a giant egg and presented it in a “nest” of raffia with a little birdie atop! The perfect invitation to play! (and discuss why birds lay eggs in a nest and why the Mama birds sit on top of the eggs, etc.)
Idea #3: Jazz Up Your Playdough
We made awesomely beautiful pastel coloured playdough using the ClubHouse Neon food colourings. Double my recipe below and separate it into 5 or 6 parts, then gradually knead in each colour until you get the beautiful pastel colours you want.
Add glitter to your play dough at the same time that you add the food colouring!
Add peppermint extract, almond extract, cinnamon, or jello powder to make your play dough smell divine!
RECIPE
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
1 cup water
1 Tbsp oil
Mix dry ingredients. Add water and oil. Cook over medium/ low heat until dough looks dry, but is still sticky. Let it rest for 1 min, then knead in food colouring and sparkles and scents.
Idea #4: Create Playdough Easter Eggs
Get some egg-shaped cookie cutters and show your kiddo how to roll out, cut and decorate their own little playdough eggs. My cutters were circular until I pressed them in at the sides!
Idea #5: Add Texture to Your Playdough
Try adding some oatmeal or rice to your playdough for that extra sensory experience! Sorry – no pictures! Makes the playdough look different too – which often re-engages kiddos!
Hope at least one of these ideas inspires you and your little one for some fun, playdough play! Do you have any ideas for Spring or Easter playdough play that I missed? Please drop me a line – I’d love to hear it!
Cheers,
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