Play-Doh Activities

Play-Doh doesn’t just help your children build up muscles in their hands, but it’s a ton of fun with infinite possibilities.  Even without any of the fancy sets that Play-Doh sells, kids can use their creativity to take a colorful blob and create anything their hearts desire.  Here are just a few examples:

• • Letters – Spell out their name or words.  Need to practice a spelling list for older kids?  Feel free to use Play-Doh to do it.  Just because they’re older doesn’t mean that learning can’t be fun anymore.
  • Shapes – my child could make a sphere and tell you that she needed 3 spheres of different sizes to make a snowman by the time she was 2. Is a child expected to recognize or name 3D shapes at that age?  Nope, but there’s no harm in exposing young children to things that may seem above their grasp; they may just surprise you.
  • Colors – Can you think of a more fun way to learn to identify and name colors than through mixing them to create something new?  If you cringe at the thought of mixing Play-Doh colors like I do, all I can suggest is that you make every effort to let it go.  Nothing creative was ever born out of another’s need to exhibit control, so lets not.  I’m not a Play-Doh mixer, but my kid is, so she’s teaching me to embrace change.  Who ever said teaching was unidirectional?  It’s absolutely not.
  • Imaginative play schemes – Build a castle or a forrest with trees, animals, and a lake.  The possibilities are literally endless, and by helping your child bring their creations to life, you’ll gain valuable insight into how their minds work.  And don’t worry if you’re not a professional sculptor.  I’m the first one to tell you that my art skills are sub par, but guess what?  Kids don’t care.  They naturally crave positive interactions and attention.  Try it, you might like it too.