Sometimes keeping toddlers and young kids entertained feels like a superpower we just don’t have. But fear not—Play-Doh to the rescue! This squishy, colorful stuff isn't just fun; it's also a secret weapon for building important skills while keeping your kiddos busy. Don’t have any Play-Doh handy? No biggie! Scroll down for a super-cheap and easy recipe to whip up your own at home.
Why Play-Doh is a Parent's Best Friend:
Builds Hand Strength: Squishing, rolling, and pinching helps little hands get stronger, which is great prep for writing.
Boosts Fine Motor Skills: All those tiny movements (like squeezing and shaping) develop the muscles kids need for buttoning, zipping, and more.
Releases Energy and Tension: Got a restless kiddo? Play-Doh can help them channel extra energy and improve focus.
Encourages Bilateral Coordination: Using both hands to roll or mold Play-Doh helps kids strengthen coordination between the left and right sides of their body.
Teaches Language & Vocabulary: Learn fun words like roll, poke, squeeze, and chop as they play!
Supports Literacy and Numeracy Skills: With fun mats (like the ones below), kids can roll "snakes" to form letters and numbers or practice counting and sorting shapes.
Big vs. Small? Counting? Got it Covered! Play-Doh can also help little ones learn early math concepts, like comparing sizes and counting objects.
Homemade Play-Doh Recipe
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. vegetable or coconut oil
Optional: 1 tsp of essential oils or gel food coloring
Mix the Dry Ingredients: Combine all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate, smaller bowl, mix the wet ingredients.
Want to keep the dishes to a minimum? Add food coloring or essential oils after the dough is mixed. Otherwise, use a separate bowl for each color.
Combine and Knead: Slowly mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Adjust the amount of liquid as needed to get the perfect squishy consistency your little one loves.
Add Color and Scent: Knead in gel food coloring and essential oils (if using) for extra fun.
Store It Right: When playtime is over, seal the Play-Doh in a zip-lock bag or airtight container to keep it fresh.
Pro Tip: Sprinkle a little flour on your kneading surface to avoid sticky situations!
Downloading Your Mats is a Breeze!
Enter Your Email: Pop your email address into the box, wait a few minutes, and BOOM—your mats are ready to download!
Edit on Canva: Want to customize the design? Simply click the link to open it in Canva. You’ll need a free account to make edits. From there, just type in the name you want, save your design, and print!
Need a Printer? No printer at home? No problem! Your local library is an awesome (and budget-friendly) place to get your designs printed.
Your email server may have you confirm your signup before it delivers the download