43 Ways to Play with Playdough

This week I've been sharing playdough recipes, playdough invitations to play and articles about the benefits of playdough on our facebook page.

I've collected all the ideas shared and placed them all in one place so they're easy for you to find.

 

 1. The Benefits of Playing with Playdough.
Here are the fabulous benefits of allowing kids to play with play dough and the many learning opportunities that happen along the way from the wonderful mind of Anna from The Imagination Tree!

2. Chamomile Playdough.
This is our most popular post ever. Simply use Chamomile tea to create this calming playdough.

3. Train Track Playdough.
This invitation to create an Autumn Spice Railroad from Play Trains was a huge hit at Bubbles' third birthday party and is still a favourite today.

4. Reggio-Inspired Playdough Provocation.
This set up from An Everyday Story is one of my all time favourite invitations to play playdough.


5. Hole Punch Playdough with FREE Printable.
Have you ever played with a hole punch and playdough? I can't believe we've never done this before!

 6. Colour with Playdough.
Click the link for all the details as well as an awesome Kool Aid Playdough recipe.7. Wonder Dough.
Only two ingredients and NO cooking required to make this fun recipe for play from Growing A Jeweled Rose8. Jelly Playdough.
This four ingredient, no cook play dough from Inspiration Laboratories is soft, stretchy, and smells great! Try it with your kids for a fun sensory experience.
 
9. Coffee Bean Playdough.
Explore the senses of smell and touch with My Nearest and Dearest's coffee bean playdough. Also perfect for making pretend cookies!

10. DIY Playdough Train Making Set.
How awesome is this Play Dough Train Set from Play Trains! Create a train-making set for kids with play dough and Duplo bricks.

11. Kids Art: Playdough Pictures.
This activity from Childhood 101 is perfect for inviting children to explore and create with a familiar material - playdough - in new and interesting way.

12. Magic Playdough.
I absolutely LOVE this magic playdough idea from Teaching Ace! Be warned though you may end up with stained hands!

13. Foam Dough.
This DIY foam dough, is super easy to make with only 2 ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard!

14. Printable Playdough Mats.
Bubbles absolutely loves these FREE printable, playdough mats from Toddler Approved- test them out and I am sure your toddler will approve too!

15. Gluten Free Playdough.
Looking for a gluten free playdough? You could do what I do and simply substitute normal flour with gluten free flour or you could try out this fantastic, fruity, 3 ingredient, gluten-free playdough from Momma's Fun World.

16. Playdough Texture Printing.
Exploring textures is fun with this awesome playdough activity from Adventures at home with mum.

17. Just Add Playdough.
This list of 20 toys and household items that you can give your child, along with some play dough for a simple Invitation to Play from My Nearest and Dearest is just fantastic!

18. Galaxy Playdough.
Sometimes a simple error can turn into the most amazing learning opportunity. Munchkins and Moms Galaxy Playdough is just that!

19. Erupting Playdough.
This bicarb based play dough from Mess For Less erupts when kids add vinegar. What a fun way to teach science!

20. Foaming Dough.
How amazing is this Foaming Dough from Fun at Home with Kids! You can use it to make Magic Foaming Snowmen that "melt" into an icy puddle of frothy foam! The best bit, as with most of Asia's recipes-you probably have all the ingredients you need in your cupboard!

21. Mash Potato Dough.
This two ingredient {technically} edible play dough from Inspiration Laboratories is great for toddlers!

22. Sand Foam Dough.Have you tried ocean sensory play for kids using new sand foam dough recipe from And Next Comes L? It's amazing!

23. Glowing Playdough. 
Have you seen Fun at Home with Kids' all natural recipe for Glowing Playdough? It's made with ingredients you can pick up from your grocery store and it lasts for 4-6 months! Seriously, what could be better?!

24. Raspberry Playdough. Add scent, colour and a sensory aspect to your dough play with our naturally dyed Raspberry Playdough.

25. Starry Night Sky Playdough.
Looking to change up your playdough? Make this gorgeous stretchy and shiny playdough from Twodaloo that looks just like a starry night sky- perfect for preschoolers!

26. Snowman Factory with FREE Printable.Don't you just LOVE this Snowman Factory Invitation to Create from Buggy & Buddy, with Homemade Playdough?
 
27. Minibeast Playdough. 
I absolutely love how Rainy Day Mum brought the book Mad about Minibeasts by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz alive for kids with this fun invitation to play with play dough.
 
28. Making Puzzles with Playdough with FREE Printable.
We've played with puzzle pieces and playdough before but never have we actually made puzzles with playdough. I absolutely love this idea from This Reading Mama!

29. Frozen Playdough. 
Are your little ones as into Frozen as Bubbles and Squiggles are? Suprise them and transform your doll into a stunning ice Queen (we used a Barbie doll) with this pretty, glittery homemade play dough from Here come the girls.

30. Teddy Bear Playdough with FREE Printable. 
Don't you just love this invitation to play from Learning 4 kids? It even includes a FREE Printable Play Dough Teddy Bear Mat!

31. FREE Playdough Mats.
Have you been loving the free printables I've been sharing with you this week? Then hop on over to Craftulate's blog-they've got a list of all the FREE play dough mats you could want!

32. Bad Day Playdough.
Next time you're having a bad day why not try making this Lemon Essential Oil Playdough from quirkymomma.com. Lemon essential oil is said to make you feel more energetic, happy, and even help improve your memory, so hopefully it'll cure your bad mood.

33. Edible Nutella Playdough.Have you made edible playdough with your kids yet? Not just taste safe-but edible! Why not start by trying this amazing Nutella Playdough from The Pleasantest Thing- add it to cupcake lines, make it into candies, roll snowmen and snakes, cut it with dull plastic knives or serve it to your kids with some biscuits and apple slices. They'll love making edible sculptures!

34. Things to do with Playdough.
Playdough will never be boring again with this awesome list from Hands on : as we grow!

35. Diversity Dough.
Race and cultural differences can be complex topics to talk about with kids but it is so important to talk openly about these subjects, and for our kids to feel free to ask questions and explore these topics. Use this diversity dough from Spoonful, as a launching pad to talk to young kids about different races, ethnic backgrounds and cultures.


36. Pea Puree Playdough.
Got some left over pea puree that your baby doesn't need anymore? Then why not try making our Green Pea Playdough-it's so soft and aromatic, it's hard to stop smelling it!

37. Playdough for Sensitive Skin.
Do you love playdough but worry about your little ones sensitive skin? Then try out this awesome recipe from Paging Fun Mums-with all natural ingredients it's been specially created with eczema suffers in mind!

38. Learn with Playdough.
Discover, experiment and learn about shapes with this play dough activity from Learning 4 kids.


39. Queen of Hearts Playdough Bakery.
Combine dramatic play and playdough and enjoy some messy play fun making jam tarts in a Queen of Hearts bakery! Such a brilliant idea from Nurturestore.

40. Sandcastle Playdough Kits.

Share your little one's love of playdough with their friends with these gorgeous kits from Mama. Papa. Bubba. Blog.

41. Shiny Playdough.
Make your kids play dough super shiny with these fun ideas from quirkymomma.com!

42. Essential Playdough Tools.
What playdough tools do you use at your house? Check out Tinkerlab's post below for their take on the three essential playdough tools to have!

43. Calm Down Playdough.
This playdough from Modern Parents Messy Kids is perfect quiet time activity and a brilliant activity to do just before bedtime!

What's your favourite way to play with playdough? I'd love for you to share it below!
Victoria


 

Please always supervise your infant/child at play.  Please stay within arms reach and never leave infants/children unattended.  You know you're infant/child best, use your own judgement-considering your infant/child's temperament, habits, behaviour and development before you play with a new play medium.