Recommended for children 12 months and over with very close supervision
Playdough is a always good investment for a toy that your child would love. You can add a lot of different texture such as adding oat / sand / glitters, etc. You can even add some scent such as apple / cinnamon / chocolate, etc. The possibilities are endless.
The benefits of playdough are enormous. Interaction with modelling medium allows children to express themselves in unique and creative ways. The develop positive self-concept and when they have finished making something there is sense of accomplishment. “Look, mummy! I’m making chocolate ice cream!” Alex said, proudly.
Playdough can be a good medium of sensory play. For very young toddlers, they can squish, poke, roll or even patting the dough. Older toddler might explore pinching or cutting the playdough. These are an important skill to strengthen those tiny muscles which are precursor for other skills such as writing, cutting, grasping. As they manipulate the medium it can be soothing experience, helping them to express their feelings. During the golden years, sensory play is very important because this is how they collect key information to build an understanding of the world around them. Through touching, tasting, smelling, grabbing, listening, and looking, their brain receives sensory information, interpret these messages, and organise purposeful responses.
It can even extend to their language development. Introduce new words when you talk about the texture / smell / the colours / what they are making . Use playdough for imaginative play such as making cakes, ice cream, etc. Let them practice problem solving skill as they mix colours, count, and share.
- 2-3 cups of plain flour
- 4 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 cup fine salt
- 2 cups water (more to hot temperature)
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- A few drop food colouring (optional)
- Mix all the dry ingredients together then slowly add the water.
- Knead them well. Add a little bit more water if it is too crumbly or add a little bit of flour when it is too sticky, keep kneading until you get the right consistency.
- If you want, you can add a few drops of food colouring and continue kneading until the colour well blended.
- Store it well in an airtight container.
Note: These lasts up to 2 months.