Autumn Sensory Play – Play dough

Autumn Sensory Play- Play Dough

This is the third of the sensory activities we’ve done with our autumn collection. I’m so glad I decided to extend the life of the initial sensory tub by incorporating it into other forms of play. Little Miss has certainly learnt new words and it’s meant the whole thing has kept her interest for much longer than I had expected.

I use this recipe to make play dough. I used to always do it in the microwave but I think it comes out nicer on the hob and it doesn’t really take much longer.  If you haven’t made play dough at home before I’d definitely recommend it. The ingredients a cheap and it’s totally non toxic (and doesn’t actually taste very nice) Obviously, as with anything with young children, make sure you supervise closely.

Autumn Sensory Play- Play Dough

Contents

As before I basically took everything out of our sensory tub apart from the leaves.

  • Water
  • Muffin tray
  • Acorns
  • Pinecones
  • Conkers

How I use play dough

If you’ve been doing messy play with your children for a while you can skip this bit. But this is what I’ve found works in my house with my children.

  • We only play with play dough on the dining table and there’s no wondering around with it in your hand.
  • It isn’t a ‘free play toy’ – I’d tend to say yes if they ask for it but until E was at least 5 he wasn’t allowed to just get it out and play – this saves it getting squashed into the carpet and also keeps it ‘special’.
  • I like to create a theme. If there’s no specific theme I still don’t get out every single tool we own.
  • As with the sensory tub I sit and model/play too or I narrate what she’s doing.
  • When she’s getting sick of it we tidy up – if you put it in a plastic tub with a lid it will last for ages.

Autumn Sensory Play- Play Dough

Benefits

This has lots of the same benefits as the sensory tub in terms of language development and understanding of the world. Play dough is also very good for building up muscles in the fingers which is important before children start writing.

For more ideas check out my Pinterest boards

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Tammymum
Two Tiny Hands
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5 Responses to Autumn Sensory Play – Play dough

  1. Tammymum says:

    Ah another great sensory activity. I didn’t realise those benefits of play doh l. My daughter loves it but I worry I am not imaginative enough with it but you have given me some inspiration so thank you! Thanks for sharing at #familyfun
    Tammymum recently posted…A Week Not To Be Repeated…My Profile

  2. Brilliant, R is only just getting into play dough and I’ve not made my own yet. I’ll keep trying with him though! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
    Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Happy Days #37 – New ClothesMy Profile

    • Beth at Bamm Boo says:

      E definitely didn’t play with it this young. We go to a really great messy play group and Little Miss was just drawn to the play dough randomly 🙂 Thanks for your comment, and for hosting!

  3. Pingback: Winter Play Dough - Bamm BooBamm Boo

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