Childhood is a very important time for developing and learning skills through play. One of the main features of play dough, for example, is that it helps to improve the toddlers’ motor skills.
Materials like play dough, cardboard or clay make it easier for children to grasp objects and learn to move their fingers independently. Thanks to these games, learning to write at school is made easier as they conveniently learn to hold a pencil or pen firmly.
- Stimulating Creativity
Children use play dough in both preschool and primary school. Through play, they strengthen their imagination, develop their motor skills, learn about and mix colors, and are able to make figures with clay modeling structures that symbolize shapes, animals, people, objects, etc. This is an ideal activity for developing creativity in toddlers.
- Increase Concentration
Children get excited and create whatever they think of. By doing such a fun and educational activity, little ones stay focused as they play and interact with the material.
- Facilitate Their Literacy
Literacy stimulation allows children to make much more precise movements while simultaneously using their eyes, hands or fingers. Play dough helps them develop this aspect as they can cut out concepts of quantity and proportion, which are very important around two to three years old.
Don’t want to buy play dough or invest in it? Not to worry! You can easily make it at home. Want to learn more? Below, we bring you tips and recipes on how you can craft your own play dough at home! Enjoy the discovery.. and the making.
Oatmeal Play Dough
Mix one cup of wheat flour with two cups of oat flour and one cup of water in a bowl. Knead until you have a smooth dough. While this dough is not meant to be eaten, even if it happens that your child put some in his mouth, you can be sure that nothing will happen to him.
Storage: It will last a few days if you keep it covered in the refrigerator. It can last longer if you bake it for a few minutes.
Raw Modeling Clay
Salt retains moisture and makes the dough malleable. You will need one glass of water, one glass of salt, two teaspoons of vegetable oil, 3 glasses of flour and two tablespoon of starch. You can also add a few drops of food coloring if you wish.
Mix the water, salt, oil with your food coloring to make an intense color. Then add the flour and starch, little by little until you have a cookie dough.
Storage: Keep it covered for it to last for a few days.
Salt Play Dough
You will need one glass of salt, half a glass of flour and one glass of water.
Mix the ingredients and cook over medium heat. Remove the pan when the dough has thickened. Let it cool down slightly and add flour until you get a dough.
Storage: Place it in a jar that can be closed with a lid.
Edible Play Dough
You will need two glasses of cacao, six tablespoons of honey, one glass on skim milk in powder and a bit of flour. Put the cacao, and honey in a bowl and mix them. Add the powdered milk and flour until you have a cookie-like dough. Mold the dough and decorate with sprinkles or jelly beans.
Play Dough with Glycerine
You will need three glasses of wheat flour, a glass of salt, a glass of cold water, a tablespoon of glycerin.
Mix all the ingredients together until you achieve an elastic consistency. You can add more water if needed. This one is great for modeling. And if you want to keep the artworks of your child, you can bake the creations in a preheated oven at about 150 degrees. The time will depend on the shape of the pieces. If they are flat, an hour and a half will be enough. If they are three-dimensional, you will need about two hours or more.
Once they are dried, you can even paint or varnished them.
There you are! What other kids’ craft do you know and did you do before? Tell us all about it in the comments below.
