Play Dough


Why Do We Use Play Dough in Therapy?

Did you know that play dough is an excellent tool in therapy?

We use play dough to promote creativity, improve fine motor skills, build finger and hand strength, work on manipulation, and build hand-eye coordination.

Play dough is also great for sensory-seeking kids as it provides tactile feedback. Step it up by adding blocks, beans, beads, gems, etc., for extra sensory feedback. Even smell can be added with the addition of essential oils or cinnamon.

Use play dough to help your child learn colors. Have your child roll the dough into snakes and then practice cutting with scissors by snipping up the snakes. Make letters and shapes out of the play dough for even more practice. You can even have your child build structures out of play dough by using toothpicks or popsicle sticks.

Homemade Play Dough

Making play dough at home is not only cost-effective, but it is also a fun activity to get your kids involved in! They can help measure and mix the ingredients and observe while you (the adult) heat it and the mixture thickens.

Make this recipe more fun by adding different scents, textures, and colors! Use your imagination to create all sorts of different doughs. When you are all done, just store them in an airtight container, and they will last a while.

Homemade Play Dough Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 2-3 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup water

  • Food coloring

  • 1/2 cup flour

  • 1/4 cup salt

  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

  • 1/2 tablespoon oil

Instructions:

  1. Fill a stovetop-safe pan with the water.

  2. Mix as much food coloring as you’d like into the water.

  3. Add the rest of the ingredients.

  4. Mix well.

  5. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens into play dough.

6. Cool and store in airtight container.

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