Easy as 1,2,3 Playdough

Play Dough is always a favourite for tamariki. It’s an exciting way for children to explore their creativity, fine motor skills and sensory benefits.

Keep your little one’s busy with this easy as 1,2,3 recipe for Playdough.

Ingredients

• 2 cups plain flour

• 1 cup salt

• 1 Tbsp oil

• 2 cups warm water

• 4 tsp Cream of tartar or cornflour

To add colour - add 2 drops of food colouring.

You could also add:-

• small amounts of glitter for some sparkling fun

• 2 drops of essential oils or flowers and herbs, such as rosemary or lavender once dough mixture is set, for scented playdough.

Method

• Combine salt to warm water and mix to dissolve as much as possible.

• Add oil (as well as food colouring or essence if desired), and while slowly stirring - continue to add all dry ingredients.

• Once mixed, allow to sit while covered for 5-10mins.

Tip - To keep fresh, store in a sealed container or glad wrap bag.

---

3 Benefits of Playdough

Fine Motor Skills

Before children learn to write at school, they need to develop their finger muscles and control them properly.

During preschool years, these muscles develop through various play activities, Playdough being one.

Children mould, flatten, squish, pinch, break and roll the substance.

To develop fine motor control further, children can use utensils such as cutters, plastic knives, and a rolling pin during playdough play.

Creativity

Playdough is like a blank canvas for a child.
It can be made into something unique, allowing the child an opportunity to create something from an image they hold mentally.
Often what is created, at a young age, will look different to what they have envisioned, but over time, as they get older, their creativity and skill will allow objects to become more defined.

Literacy and Numeracy

Following this basic recipe is a great opportunity for children to practise their counting, and an early introduction to measuring.