A great playdough recipe (like this playdough recipe without cream of tartar) should be in every parent’s or teacher’s arsenal. Here are some creative ways to change up your playdough to make it even more fun!
Have Even More Fun With These Playdough Activities
If you’ve been around my site for a little bit, you know I love using playdough in my preschool classroom. There are two primary reasons for this. One reason is because preschoolers love, love, LOVE playing with playdough, and the second reason is because playdough has so many developmental benefits.
What Skills Does Playdough Develop?
Playdough can be a catalyst for so many developmental skills for toddlers and preschoolers. For example, playdough can help develop:
- hand strength and find motor skills
- prewriting skills
- hand-eye coordination
- social skills
- calming and growth mindset skills
- curiosity, imagination, and creativity
And in the right context, playdough activities can also be some of the best learning activities for teaching preschoolers about the alphabet, numbers, and even science concepts.
How to Make Playdough
Playdough is not at all difficult to make. In fact, under adult supervision, some playdough recipes can even be made by kids.
The condensed version is as follows:
- Heat some water
- Add an oil, flour, and salt mixture
- Mix until it forms a ball
- Kneed and allow to cool
See? It’s simple!
My Favorite Playdough Recipes
Here are my favorite playdough recipes. They are fail-proof and I can always trust them to turn out, which is important because it means I’m not wasting materials!
20+ Super Cool Playdough Activities
Now it’s time to have some fun!
These simple playdough activities can be added to any of your learning centers for preschoolers. They also make a great base for a playdough invitation to play and can even be made into creative playdough kits. Or try adding them to your math and literacy preschool centers by printing out some free playdough mats.
Take a look at the photos below and try out some of the ways to change up your playdough. Each activity lists in order from left to right, top to bottom.
Your preschoolers will love you for using this list of 75+ things to add to play dough to make it more fun. There are loads of great ideas to take your playdough activities to the next level!
Who doesn’t want a little sparkle in their life? This glitter playdough recipe turns 7 normal ingredients into one magical ball of fun.
This “best ever scented play dough” has texture, sparkle, and scent! The addition of rice, glitter, and herbal tea for dye makes this a treat for the senses and a wonderful addition to your playdough recipes.
Having a party? Celebrating a birthday? Just want a little sparkle in your life? Check out this celebration playdough recipe for beautiful, glittery play dough!
Want some easy, plastic-free additions to your playdough routine? Check out this link for plastic free playdough play where you’ll get some great ideas for items found right in your own home.
Have some extra packets of Hawaiian punch powder lying around? Use them to make a colorful and scented Hawaiian punch playdough for your next preschool activity!
You’ll earn some major cool points with your preschooler when you introduce them to this incredible edible playdough! Simply mix some frosting and powdered sugar together for this simple, easy recipe.
Your kids can pretend to bake cookies with this funfetti playdough recipe! It smells and tastes super sweet. Grab some cookie cutters and rolling pins and they’ll be happily occupied.
These DIY playdough stamps are so easy to make and add such a fun element to your preschooler’s playdough time! Make their favorite shapes or animals or design something that goes along with your current lesson plan.
This calming lavender sensory playdough recipe is an easy way to change up your usual playdough routine. The lavender provides a calming sensory effect that will keep your preschoolers calm and content while they play!
Don’t have any cream of tartar on hand? Use this natural playdough (without cream of tartar) recipe to make a safe and simple batch of playdough for your next activity time.
Who doesn’t love the smell of strawberries? This strawberry scented playdough recipe is a delight for the senses and only takes about 10 minutes to make.
What could be easier than making playdough with ingredients found in your own back yard? This flower playdough recipe was designed for a spring theme but could also be used in the summer or fall.
This frozen pixy stix sensory playdough is a fun (and chilly!) twist on regular playdough. The candy adds a strong sugary smell and the stiffness of the dough adds an easy hand strengthening element.
If you use playdough frequently, you’ll want to check out this post on how to build a playdough tool kit. You can customize your kit based on your kids’ needs and the items you have on hand.
This fun and colorful rainbow playdough kit is a great way to keep all your rainbow accessories in one place. You could also use this for a St. Patrick’s Day theme!
If you have kids who love minions, you need this banana scented playdough recipe in your life! This recipe requires 7 ingredients and makes a super soft playdough that smells delicious.
This ice cream playdough looks just like the real deal and will have your kids playing for hours. Get some ice cream cones and sprinkles for added decoration and you’re all set!
Take your kids to infinity and beyond with this awesome galaxy playdough recipe. Add some marbles, glow-in-the-dark stars, or space toys for the full experience!
Bring some freshness and zing to sensory play time with this natural mint playdough recipe. It smells wonderful and feels so soft to touch.
Want an all-natural way to add some color to your playdough recipes? These seven natural dyes for playdough are just what you need!
More Playdough Recipes!
This eBook of playdough recipes was designed with preschoolers, kindergarten, and early first graders in mind featuring 45 unique recipes for making playdough. From the classic recipe your grandmother made to modern recipes that provide undeniable texture, this playdough ebook is a must-have in every early childhood classroom or home.
>>> 45 Playdough Recipes <<<
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45 Playdough Recipes$10.00
Get Even More Playdough Activities
Since playdough is a favorite in every preschool, you can never have enough activities! Try some of these below.
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
