Making playdough together is an activity in itself. Your child will enjoy mixing and squishing to make the dough.

Did you know?

Playdough is very cheap and easy to make at home and lasts for weeks in an air tight container.

Add language

While playing, talk about how the playdough feels between your fingers and what it looks and smells like. Use action words and phrases e.g. roll out, cut up, push down to develop your child’s vocabulary and descriptive language.

Wait quietly for your child to show or tell you something, then make a comment or ask a question that keeps the conversation going e.g. “I made snake”, “You made a long snake”, “Where is your snake going?”. The longer children stay in a conversation the more language practice and feedback they get.

Variations

Add glitter, popsticks, match sticks, foliage and other items you can find around the home to make the playdough more interesting.

Safety

Pay special attention to safety when using hot water

Homemade playdough is safe to eat although discourage children from consuming large quantities.

Across the ages

All the activities listed on our “Play Ideas” page can be applied across different age groups. See how playdough can be fun for babies, children and playgroups.

Making Playdough

Click here for our playdough recipe.

 

Activities listed under “toddler” are suitable for children aged 1-3 years. Toddlers enjoy activities that include exploring their environment and finding out how things work.

Play ideas