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Monster Playdough

2/11/2016

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Click HERE for the Monster Playdough Lesson Plan
  • Different colored playdough
  • beads
  • jewels
  • feathers
  • pipe cleaners
  • straws
  • muffin tin (or other organizer)
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Picture
  1. Place the different items in the muffin tin in an appropriate area along with the playdough
  2. Encourage the child to create their monster
  3. As they are working, ask them different questions to get them thinking about their work. Some examples are: 
  • What makes your monster special? 
  • What is his/her name? 
  • How do you know if they are a nice monster or a spooky monster?
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Calming Playdough 

2/11/2016

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​Base Ingredients
3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
6 tsp Cream of Tarter
3 tbsp oil
3 cups water


Additives- pick one or mix and match
Lavender buds Lavender essential oil
Vanilla Extract
Chamomile essential oil
Rose essential oil
Several drops of food coloring*

*We suggest using pale colors such as pastel pinks, yellows, greens and blues.
Pour all base ingredients into a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms by pulling away from the sides. You can now use the additives, knead them into the play dough until blended (1-2 minutes). If using essential oils start with 2-3 drops. Remember that essential oils are concentrated and are meant to be added to a base.

The calming scent and the kneading motion will help your child unwind before bed, or on a stressful day. 
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Home-Made Play Dough

2/10/2016

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Supplies needed for this activity:
·         Vegetable oil
·         Salt
·         Flour
·         Cream of Tartar
·         Measuring cup
·         Warm Water
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Picture
​STEP #1: Pour all the dry ingredients into the pot (flour, salt, cream of tartar, and vegetable oil)

STEP #2: Once you mix the dry ingredients together, turn on the stove (between low and medium) 

STEP #3: Mix the ingredients together with warm water while the stove is on, THEN KEEP MIXING until the ingredients turn into “mashed potatoes” and is no longer a sticky-looking substance. 
​
STEP #4:  Once the ingredients are mixed together, turn off the stove and let the dough cool down.
Homemade play dough is a wonderful experiment for children who are just starting to learn about science. The play dough is safe to eat, and isn't poisonous like store bought play dough. Kids will be able to reuse the play dough as long as they put the it into some kind of container 42 hours after making the play dough.  
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More Playdough ​Recipes
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Use Your Noodle Playdough Play ​​

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Use Your Noodle Playdough Play Lesson Plan
Use Your Noodle Playdough Play ​​
Use Your Noodle Playdough Play ​​
  • Uncooked pasta shapes (bowtie, corkscrew, tube shape, etc)
  • Food coloring
  • Vinegar
  • Ziplock bags
  • Playdough (we recommend the Basic Dough recipe)  
To dye the pasta:
  1. Add desired amount of uncooked pasta to a ziplock bag along with about ¼ cup of vinegar and 10 drops of food coloring. Seal the bag and mix the vinegar mixture around with the pasta until thoroughly coated. Allow pasta to stay in the bag for approximately 5 minutes, turning halfway through. Empty contents of bag onto several layers of paper towels and allow to dry overnight. 

For the activity:
  • Place a mound of playdough in the middle of a partitioned tray and add noodles to the other partitions by color.
  1. Invite children to play with materials and use the noodles to create a sculpture.
Basic Dough Recipe
**Take precautions when preparing this recipe as it involves the use of hot water**
2 cups of flour
2 Tbsp of oil (vegetable, olive or coconut is fine)
½ cup of salt
2 Tbsp cream of tartar
1 ½ cups boiling water

Mix the dry ingredients well. Slowly add the oil and boiling water and mix. Allow the mixture to cool down and knead until it achieves the desired consistency.
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Snow Dough (sensory bin)

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Snow Dough (sensory bin) Lesson Plan ​
Snow Dough (sensory bin)
Snow Dough (sensory bin)
Prepare for activity by making the dough. Combine 8 cups flour with 1 cup of baby oil. Add a few tablespoons of glitter and mix. Put your snow dough in the large bin and present it to the child in an appropriate area. **Monitor child as they play to prevent them from eating any of the dough. ​
  • Flour
  • baby oil
  • glitter
  • large plastic bin
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Playdough Nature Walk

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Playdough Nature Walk Lesson Plan ​
Playdough Nature Walk
Playdough Nature Walk
  1. Take small groups on a nature walk and give each child a lump of playdough. Invite children to use their playdough to take imprints of leaves, rocks, bark on trees and other natural materials. Keep in mind that the playdough will probably be ruined after this activity.
  2. Upon returning to the classroom begin a discussion about the different things that children did and the sequence of events during the nature walk. 
  3. Encourage children to use inventive spelling and drawings to dictate the sequence of events surrounding the nature walk.
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Playdough Math Mats

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Playdough Math Mats Lesson Plan ​
Playdough Math Mats
Playdough Math Mats
  1. Print and laminate math mats or put the math mats inside of a page protector.
  2. Invite toddlers to use playdough to trace shapes on the Shape Playdough Mat. Encourage preschool children to count out small balls of playdough for the listed numbers on the Counting Mat. You can also very easily create your own playdough mats in various ways and for various subjects.
  • Shapes playdough mat (click to download)
  • Counting playdough mat (click to download)
  • Page protector or laminator
  • ​Playdough
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Playdough Engineering

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Playdough Engineering Lesson Plan ​
Playdough Engineering
Playdough Engineering
  • Playdough
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Large book
  • Paper (or science journal)
  • Pencil    
  1. Divide students into small groups and provide a lump of playdough, some popsicle sticks and pencil and paper. Instruct groups to build a structure out of playdough and popsicle sticks that will be able to hold the book. Encourage children to use collaboration and to make drawings and depictions with their plan for the structure.
  2. Test out each group’s structure by placing the book on the structures one at a time. Discuss the differences in structures while explaining that there is no “right” way to build one.
  3. Lastly, have groups analyze the process in which they built their structures. Ask guiding questions such as:
  • Did your group make an initial plan? How did that work for your end result?
  • How would you describe your group’s communication skills?
  • If you were to do this activity again, what would you change? Why?
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Ice Cream Dough

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Ice Cream Dough Lesson Plan ​
Ice Cream Dough
Ice Cream Dough
Mix 3 cups baking soda with 3 teaspoons conditioner. Add in a Kool-Aid package of your choice. Place the dough in a large bin along with ice cream cones, sprinkles, spoons and cups. Place bin in an appropriate area for children to explore and invite them to play. This is a great time to practice the names of colors with the child using the items in the bin.
  • Baking soda
  • hair conditioner
  • Kool-Aid
  • large bin
  • ice cream cones
  • sprinkles
  • spoons
  • cups
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Gingerbread Playdough

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Gingerbread Playdough Lesson Plan ​
Gingerbread Playdough
Gingerbread Playdough
  1. Read The Gingerbread Man with the child, stopping periodically to talk about the text and practice retelling together.
  2. Mix the cooking materials together in the large sensory bin. Add in buttons and gingerbread men cookie cutters
  3. Place the bin in an appropriate area for sensory play
  4. As the child is creating, ask them to retell as much of the story that they can. 
  • 8 cups of flour
  • 1 cup of vegetable oil
  • 3 tbsp of cinnamon 2 tsp of ginger and nutmeg spice
  • Large sensory bin
  • The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth
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Gingerbread Man Slime 

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Gingerbread Man Slime Lesson Plan ​
Gingerbread Man Slime
Gingerbread Man Slime
  1. Create the gingerbread man slime and have it ready.
  2. Read The Gingerbread Man to the class in a developmentally appropriate manner. Use exciting descriptions and a narrative voice when reading the book. Also, be sure to show pictures of the gingerbread man as much as possible.
  3. After reading invite the children to create their own gingerbread men with the gingerbread slime and accessories. Children can shape the slime into the shape of the gingerbread man and use the accessories to make him “come to life.”  
  • The Gingerbread Man Book
  • Gingerbread man slime
  • Buttons
  • ​Googly eyes  
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Coloring Dough

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Coloring Dough Lesson Plan ​
Coloring Dough
Coloring Dough
Give each child a lump of playdough and markers and encourage them  to color and mold the dough. Point out the changes in the dough as children create and explore.   
  • Uncolored playdough
  • Washable markers
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Baby Bags Slime Exploration

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the Baby Bags Slime Exploration​ Lesson Plan ​
Baby Bags Slime Exploration
Baby Bags Slime Exploration
  • Large ziplock bag
  • ¼ teaspoon water beads
  • Slime (we recommend the Sparkly Slime)
  • Duct Tape
Sparkly Slime Recipe
Mix equal parts clear school glue, water and liquid starch along with several drops of food coloring and a few shakes of glitter. Combine well until it turns into slime.
  1. Use the Sparkly Slime recipe to create slime, but this time omit the food coloring and glitter.
  2. Hydrate the water beads the night before.
  3. Combine the slime and water beads in the ziplock bag, press the air out of the bag and zip it shut.
  4. Next, use the duct tape to seal all four sides of the bag.
  5. Invite the child to experience the squish and the feel of the slime with the water beads. Encourage the comparison of feeling the slime by itself and some slime with water beads.
Caution:  ​This sensory bag should be provided with supervision. Do not place the bag in a crib, or playpen.  
​Check the back for tears, or leaks each time before allowing the child to touch the bag.  Don't allow the child to bite the bag.
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3 Bears Porridge Playdough

2/10/2016

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Click HERE for the 3 Bears Porridge Playdough​ Lesson Plan ​
3 Bears Porridge Playdough
3 Bears Porridge Playdough
Provide the materials and encourage children to use the dramatic play materials to recreate the 3 Bears story by mixing and playing with the playdough.
  • Goldilocks and the Three Bears
  • 3 Bears Dough recipe
  • Small bowls
  • Small pots and pans
  • 3 bear stuffed animals (optional)
3 Bears Dough Recipe
​
**Take precautions when preparing this recipe as it involves the use of hot water**
  • 2 cups plain flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
  • 2 cups of boiling water
  • 1-2 cups of oats 
Mix in the dry ingredients, add the oil and stir through. Carefully add the boiling water and stir well. Let the dough cool and knead it until it is no longer sticky. Add the oats and knead until it is the desired consistency.
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Starry Sky Playdough

2/8/2016

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Click HERE for the Starry Sky Playdough Lesson Plan
Starry Sky Playdough
Starry Sky Playdough
Encourage children to add glitter to the black playdough and knead until combined. After glitter and playdough is combined add the additional materials for children to create their own starry sky. Give children ample time to explore and experience the materials.  
  • Black playdough
  • Silver and gold glitter
  • Glow in the dark stars
  • ​Glass pebbles
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Play Dough Literacy

2/8/2016

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Play Dough Literacy
Play Dough Literacy
This simple project helps children learn the shapes of the letters. It will help them develop writing and reading skills. Working the play dough develops fine motor skills  that will be used for writing as well as hand eye coordination. While they put the play dough onto the letter tell them the letter name and the sounds it makes. This will help them associate the sound of the letter with the shape giving them the skills they will need to sight read.

​It is important to introduce literacy at an early age. You can do this by exposing them to print in multiple areas of their life, such as letter magnets, books, posters with words, and songs about letters.
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Pumpkin Pie Playdough

2/7/2016

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Pumpkin Pie Playdough
Pumpkin Pie Playdough

Supplies:
  • 5 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 cups of salt
  • 8 teaspoons of cream of tartar
  • 3/4 cup oil
  • 1  small container of Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 4 cups of water
  • Optional: red and yellow food coloring (1 part red to 2 parts yellow)
  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon or something similar
  • Optional: Fall or Halloween cookie cutters

* This recipe makes a big batch of play-dough! We cut the recipe in half and had plenty
Instructions:
In the large pot add all ingredients and mix together. Cook over medium heat, stir until the mixture no longer has any lumps. Remove the dough from the pot and place on a well-floured surface. Knead the dough out until smooth. The dough can now be played with. When done playing with the dough, store it in an air tight container or sealable freezer bag.

Click on the photos to enlarge.
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Hungry Playdough Caterpillar Retelling

2/6/2016

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Click HERE for the The Hungry Playdough Caterpillar Retelling Lesson Plan
Hungry Playdough Caterpillar Retelling
Hungry Playdough Caterpillar Retelling
  1. ​Gather students in the usual reading area and read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Pause at important parts of the story and show pictures often. When the story is done being read the teacher should recap the events and show the pictures to the students one more time.
  2. During small group instruction time, give students an assortment of playdough and encourage them to retell The Very Hungry Caterpillar story. Have the book readily available for students to reference if needed. 
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book by Eric Carle
  • Playdough
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Ooey-Gooey Oobleck

2/5/2016

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Click HERE for the Ooey-Gooey Oobleck Lesson Plan
Ooey-Gooey Oobleck
Ooey-Gooey Oobleck
  • Large bowl
  • cornstarch
  • water
  • measuring cups
  • food coloring
  • Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss ​
  1. Create the Oobleck by combining 1 cup of cornstarch with ½ a cup of water. Add in a few drops of green food coloring. 
  2. Read Bartholomew and the Oobleck with your students. This is a great time to practice rhyming skills with them. 
  3. Invite students to play with the Oobleck. Have them try summarizing the story.
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Turtle Sensory Play

2/5/2016

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Turtle Sensory Play
Turtle Sensory Play
Turtle Sensory Play
Turtle Sensory Play
This is a good way to incorporate sensory play and literacy.  Print out some clip art photos and have the children mold the play dough around the turtle shells and letters.
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Caterpillars are crawling everywhere!

2/3/2016

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Caterpillars are crawling everywhere!
Caterpillars are crawling everywhere!
Materials needed:
  • pipe cleaners (multiple colors)
  • sticks
  • leaves (real are best but construction leaves work just as well)
  • play-dough
  • paper plates
Picture
Making caterpillars: 
First bend one end of the pipe cleaner over about 2 inches. (Older children will have fun doing this.) Wind the rest of the pipe cleaner around the length of the bent section. Tah Dah, a caterpillar!

Alternative caterpillars: 
Cut 2 to 3 inch pieces of pipe cleaner. Let the children figure out how to wind the pipe cleaner around the stick themselves (and they will).
Picture
Play-dough: 
Use your favorite recipe, any color. Children will each need a clump the size of a baseball. (Let the children make their own ball.) 
Picture
Leaves: 
Use fresh leaves, paper leaves, or store bought leaves (If you use store bought leaves you might have to cut a tiny hole to go over the stick).
Picture
Sticks: 
Collect sticks on a walk, or bring in from home
Instructions

Set-up: 
Display pictures of caterpillars on branches and leaves around the art table. Do not tell the children what they are making. Let them discover and design freely. Maybe put a jar of live caterpillars with twigs and leaves in the middle of the table. If you have seen caterpillars in the trees, go for a caterpillar hunt.

Have the children place the play-dough on the plate in a clump where ever they want.

Show the children how they can push the leaf over the stick at different heights, if they need instruction. Most children can figure this out themselves. Let the children use as many leaves and caterpillars as they feel are needed for their creation. If there is a limited supply, only set out the number allowed for each child, but give them several of each item.

Use smaller pieces of pipe cleaner to attach caterpillars to the stick or glue on to leaves.

When dry, if glue is used, let the children arrange the sticks in the play-do.

Some children may want to put them in the play-dough, or glue them to the plate, that’s awesome. Let them create their own sculpture.  
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Toddler Treasure Hunt

2/3/2016

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​Click HERE for the Toddler Treasure Hunt Lesson Plan
Toddler Treasure Hunt
Toddler Treasure Hunt
Put several coins in a ball of playdough and encourage children to pinch and pull the playdough apart in order to find the coins hidden in the dough.     
  • Playdough
  • Plastic coins
  • ​Plastic jewels 
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Frog Dough

2/1/2016

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Frog Dough
Frog Dough
Cornstarch and conditioner with a few googly eyes. Adding equal parts to begin with adding more cornstarch or conditioner until a dough like consistency is reached.

I would suggest an apron for this activity if the little ones are more on the messy side. It is also a good time to remind them not to touch there face when they are cooking or working with other substances such as the cornstarch.

The finished product, plus a piece of a leaf  because the little one wanted her frog dough to have a green tongue.
Frog Dough
Frog Dough
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Apple Cinnamon Oobleck

1/31/2016

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Click HERE for the Apple Cinnamon Oobleck Lesson Plan
Apple Cinnamon Oobleck
Apple Cinnamon Oobleck
Materials: 
  • Cinnamon
  • cornstarch
  • water
  • red food coloring
  • large plastic tub
  • Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss
Prepare for activity by creating the Oobleck. Mix equal parts cornstarch and water in a plastic tub. Add in a few drops of the red food coloring and a small amount of cinnamon. Begin lesson by reading Bartholomew and the Oobleckwith students. Stop and predict and summarize with students from time to time to practice reading skills. When finished, present the Apple Cinnamon Oobleck to the students. While they are playing, talk with them about what they are experiencing. Ask them to describe the scents and textures of the Oobleck. You can prompt them with questions like: 
  • What other things smell like this? 
  • Have you ever felt anything like this before? Tell me about it.
  • What does this smell remind you of?
Apple Cinnamon Oobleck
Apple Cinnamon Oobleck
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    Ms. Brittney Andrade, BS ECE

    Successful Solutions Training in Child Development
    Picture

    Playdough, slime, gak, flubber. Call it what you will, playdough and similar materials are a staple ingredient in programs everywhere. Having dough of some sort available to children gives them plenty of opportunities for creative open-ended sensory play.

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    Playdough Lesson Plans

    3 Bears Porridge Playdough
    Baby Bags Slime Exploration
    Coloring Dough
    Flower Garden Fun
    Gingerbread Man Slime ​
    Gingerbread Playdough
    Ice Cream Dough
    ​Playdough Engineering
    Playdough Impressions
    Playdough Math Mats
    Playdough Nature Walk
    Salt Dough Mitten
    Snow Dough (sensory bin)
    Starry Sky Playdough
    The Hungry Playdough Caterpillar Retelling 
    Toddler Treasure Hunt
    Use Your Noodle Playdough Play ​​
    Oobleck ​Recipes
    Goo Recipes
    Slime Recipes
    Playdough 
    ​Recipes
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