Did you know that cutting playdough is easier than cutting paper? If you have a young child who is developing the coordination necessary to cut with scissors, have them cut playdough first. Playdough is also a wonderful tool for developing skills necessary to roll out dough, use cookie cutters and cut with a butter knife.
Wanting to add a little spice to your playdough? Try Chestnut Grove’s Pumpkin Spice Playdough recipe. Want more of a sensorial experience? Try TinkerLab’s Cloud Dough among other sensorial dough-like recipes. Want to introduce measuring to your child? Teach Preschool has a great Measuring Playdough Inchworms activity.
We push toothpicks into it for more fine motor pincer grasp practice and also roll balls and count them.
I’ve seen golf tees, but toothpicks are new to me. I’ll have to try that. Thanks for the tip. I can always count on you for great ideas.
Cutting playdough is a great fine motor activity, to build the muscles they need to cut paper in the future! Great activity and thanks for linking to my pumpkin spice recipe :D
You’re very welcome! Thanks for stopping by to say hi. I can’t wait to try your playdough myself. :)
We did playdough today too! :) My girls made pumpkins today. I will have to give them scissors to go with them next time! That is a really fun idea!
Hi Lori!
My daughter learned how to use scissors by cutting play dough — from my personal experience, it works!! And thanks for sharing our cloud dough project…it’s lovely to be included on your blog.
Rachelle
Hi Rachelle! You have a wonderful site and I’m more than happy to share your ideas with my readers. I go to your site for inspiration frequently and I know others will benefit from it too. Keep up the great work and thank you for all that you do.
Ashers’ tongue is sticking out again, this must of been a great activity for him:) I have done this same activity with scissors and playdoh, and the kiddos loved it here as well. Thank you for sharing.
I know…I love it when he sticks out his tongue. Actually, both of my boys do that when they concentrate. It makes me smile every time. :)