Playing with play dough can be an easy and fun way to work on fine motor, coordination, and sensory exploration. We use play dough to encourage finger dexterity, hand strengthening, visual perceptual skills, and exploring messy play. Play dough is a low resistance hand and finger strengthening activity that can include a variety of benefits of fine motor coordination, encouraging creativity, and development of hand-eye coordination by allowing them to manipulate the materials to fit their creative ideas.
Participating in play dough activities allow children to play with their hands and improve many aspects of activities of daily living and play including: ability to hold a writing utensil, participate in self-feeding, and so many other activities. See below for two fun and easy recipe which are non-toxic and fun to make!
Living Well Mom Playdough Recipe
Some activities to engage with play dough include:
- Hiding objects in play dough
- Making letters and numbers
- Pinching for fine motor strength
- Cutting the play dough
- Create imaginary creatures or animals
- Roll play dough in between fingers and hands
- Make small play dough balls and pinch to make “pancakes”
- Use cookie cutters to make shapes
- Utensil practice with plastic knives and forks
What activites have we missed? Tell us some of your favorites!