We live in a place in Canada where there is no shortage of snow in the winter! The kids can sled down the hill at school, skate at the community league and love going skiing when we visit their cousins at the nearby mountains. Winter is best once one embraces it I find, enjoying the activities that come along with it and of course the hot chocolate that comes with the season! Here are three snowy play dough ideas for you to try at home with your children or in the classroom with your students! Materials Play Dough See our favourite recipe below or purchase Play Doh. Snow Person Play Dough Lids of different sizes Loose parts (buttons, beads etc.) Twigs Build a Snow Fort Option #1 Toothpicks or dowels Play Dough Option #2 Play Dough Ice Cube Tray Old Butter Knife/ Clay Tool Make a Symmetrical Snowflake Large lid Ruler Play Dough Loose parts (wooden rings, beads, popsicle sticks, buttons, gems, marbles etc.) We always find these items useful too: Directions Play Dough This is a recipe we love! Ingredients: 1 cup flour 1 cup water 1/2 cup salt 3 tbsp cream of tarter 2 tbsp vegetable oil Directions: Combine all of the dry ingredients in a medium pan. Add water and oil. Cook on medium heat, adding the food colouring and spice. Stir continuously. When the dough mix pulls away from the sides and forms into a large ball, the dough is ready to be placed in a small bowl to cool. Store in a plastic container or re-sealable bag. * Because of the large salt content this play dough is not recommended for children 0-3 or those that tend to put things into their mouth.* Source: Japer Place Child and Family Resource Centre Snow Person Play Dough Collect and wash lids. Use your play dough to fill the lids to make a snowman or snow woman. Use your loose parts to decorate your snow person. If you like, take a photo to document your work! Build a Snow Fort Option #1 Use your toothpicks and snowballs to create a fort. Take a photo to document your work! Option #2 Fill your ice cube tray with compressed play dough. Use your dull butter knife to cut out your “snow blocks”. Form a snow fort or igloo to play with. Add animal or people figurines if you like! Make a Symmetrical Snowflake Fill your lid with play dough “snow”. Create some lines with your ruler in your snow. Use your play dough and loose parts to create symmetrical snowflake. Pin this idea Purpose Designing with loose parts. Constructing with different materials. Learning about symmetrical which lends to geometry knowledge. Safety Notes We suggest that you use a tray and a smock to protect your clothing and surfaces. Use toothpicks with care and direct, adult supervision. Small items such as beads, buttons etc. can be a choking hazard, therefore be sure to keep them out of the reach of children ages 0-3 years of age or those that tend to put things into their mouths. Because of the large salt content this play dough is not recommended for children 0-3 or those that tend to put things into their mouth. Please like & share: Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Name* Email* Website Comment Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email.