Winter Play Dough

Play dough is such a great resource for developing motor skills in toddlers, preschoolers and older kids. Whenever we have a play dough activity set up my two always enjoy it. They can get creative whilst working on their motor skills too.

Set Up

This winter themed play dough activity did require a little more set up than normal but once you have made the resources you have them for your children to use over and over again. I have for a long time lusted over a textured rolling pin, like these, for my children to use with play dough. But in an effort to not buy anything new I thought I would have a go at my own wintry themed one. I used an old cardboard tube from the inside of a roll of kitchen foil. It needs to be quite sturdy to maintain its shape when a toddler pushes it with all her might onto playdough. Then I used my hot glue gun to create some snowflake shapes. It was surprisingly simple to do and my only tip would be to keep the pattern simple! I also really love these wooden block stamps but again though I would have a go at making something similar myself. I already had these wooden shapes and using my hot glue gun again I glued them onto some wood slices. I made our own play dough but you could very easily use shop bought.

My two needed know instructions when they saw this winter themed play dough activity set up for them. They just got stuck in. It is great to watch them work them play with their hands and fingers. It really is so great for strengthening their fingers. The rolling pin was a hit as were the stamps. And my toddler in particular enjoyed stamping the home made stamps into the play dough.

Although the resources for this winter themed play dough activity did take a little prep to make, they didn’t take too long at all and now we will have them to use again and again. Playing with play dough is such a fun way for toddlers, preschoolers and older kids to work on the motor skills and strengthen their fingers.