Playdough activities

Encourage your child to explore and be creative.

Here are some simple ideas:

• squash, squeeze and stretch the dough
• roll playdough into balls using both hands
• roll long sausages, snakes or worms
• flatten the dough with hands or a rolling pin
• pinch small pieces between finger and thumb
• poke holes using fingers
• cut the dough with child-safe scissors
• use shape cutters, stamps or cookie cutters
• hide small toys or objects inside and dig them out
• make pinch pots

Encourage imaginative play:

• make pizzas and pretend foods - practice cutlery skills
• create animals, people or favourite characters
• build small worlds using playdough and toys

Practise early writing skills:

• copy simple patterns and designs
• roll playdough into long strips and make letters, numbers and shapes

If your child doesn't like touching playdough

Some children are sensitive to different textures and may find playdough uncomfortable at first. You can help by:

• allowing your child to watch before joining in
• avoid forcing children to touch playdough
• using tools such as rolling pins, cutters or cutlery
• starting with firmer materials such as plasticine
• encouraging short periods of play and gradually increasing contact
• letting your child explore at their own pace