These fun play dough activities for kids are the perfect way to boost fine motor skills and keep the creativity flowing during play!
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At The Inspired Treehouse, we know that using play dough for fine motor development is one of the best (and most fun) approaches. We use play dough during our pediatric occupational therapy sessions to promote nearly every aspect of fine motor functioning with an added sensory bonus!
So you’ve found an awesome new play dough recipe (like this beautiful and vibrant dandelion playdough), you’ve created a perfect batch of the smooth, squishy stuff…now what? Free play with play dough is a must – it’s so fun to see what kids will come up with on their own. But working in some of the following play dough activities for children can help specifically target strength, coordination, and manipulation skills.
Looking for more fun with play dough? Check out these free printable play dough mats! Or try this fun Arctic Play Dough Activity!
If you’re putting together home programs for kids and families to try on their own, print a copy of the freebie and place it in a sealable bag with some colorful play dough or a play dough recipe they can make at home! Recipe ideas below. Just type your name and email address in the boxes below to have the freebie sent to your inbox!
And click this link to find some of the best play doh tools to use with kids!
9 Awesome Play Dough Activities for Kids
1 – Make pancakes! This is a simple way to provide great proprioceptive input and can be expanded into a visual motor activity too! Have kids roll their play dough into a ball and then use both hands to push it flat to make the pancake.
For added input to the hands and arms, have them stand up, pushing all of their weight into their hands to get their pancake as flat as they can. Once they have a few pancakes, give them a spatula and see if they can play chef, flipping the pancakes from one side to another one by one!
2 – Make a pizza! Start by making a large pancake (see above). This will be your pizza crust. Tell the kids they will need to make the toppings for their pizza! First, have them roll small bits of play dough into short, thin pieces using their Super Fingers. This will be the shredded cheese, so they’ll need a little handful of them to cover the pizza.
Next, have them roll the play dough into several small balls, again using their Super Fingers. They’ll gently press the balls into small circles to make the pepperoni! Have them load up their pizzas, creating their own ideas for toppings too! Rolling small balls or small, thin “snakes” like this is a great way to work on dynamic, coordinated movements of the thumb, first finger, and second finger – the exact kind of movement needed for coloring and handwriting!
3 – Make spaghetti! First, have kids roll out long noodles. This is great for practicing controlled, movements of the fingers and hands – push too hard and they’ll flatten the noodle! Then, similar to making the pepperoni (above), roll small balls of play dough for meatballs!
4 – Make a cake! Make a pancake (above) and then let your little ones get creative! Push beads into the dough for sprinkles. Stick in some toothpicks for candles!
5 – An apple a day… Draw a picture of a tree on a piece of construction paper and have kids roll red play dough into small balls to place on the tree as apples! Try this with our Apple Orchard Gross Motor Activity!
6 – Roll a snowball Make three “snowballs” out of play dough, using both hands to roll the dough. Stack them up to make a snowman! Add beads for eyes, nose, a mouth, and buttons! Stick a couple of toothpicks in for arms! Try this with our Wintertime Yoga for Kids or Snowball Bowling!
7 – Pinching practice This activity is a great strengthener for those Super Fingers! Roll a long snake shape out of the play dough and stick it down on the table. Have pinch the dough using their Super Fingers, starting at one end and working their way down to the other end until the snake is flattened.
8 – Squeeze and pass This is a simple one, but great for whole hand strengthening. Simply have kids squeeze a ball of play dough in one hand as hard as they can and then pass to the other hand to do the same on the other side. Try it to the beat of a favorite song, you could even try this fun Baby Bumblebee Activity using play dough instead of a balloon!
9 – Snipping Practice! One of the best ways to keep kids’ interest in learning scissor skills is by practicing on play dough! Roll out a long piece of dough and have kids snip it into little pieces. Make a pancake and see if kids can cut it in half. The heavy resistance provides great proprioceptive feedback and an awesome opportunity for strengthening little hands!
For Virtual Sessions
Model, demonstrate, and provide instructions for each of the activities above for the child to complete along with you with their play dough at home. These activities are great for imaginative/pretend play scenarios that can be engaged in even virtually!
Our Favorite Play Dough Sets and Tools
Other Creative Play Dough Activities for Kids:
Play Dough Birds from Craftulate
Play Dough Pasta Matching Game from Kids Activities Blog
Play Dough Mandalas from Nurture Store
Great Play Dough Recipes From Around the Web:
Jello Play Dough from Modern Parents Messy Kids
Glitter Rainbow Play Dough from Housing a Forest
Orange and Lemon Play Dough from Imagination Tree
Natural Play Dough from Faithful to Nature
[…] 9 Great Play Dough Activities for Kids […]