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Playdough is one of the simplest and most versatile tools you can give to children. You can also make it yourself with a few common household ingredients if you aren’t the type to settle for the store-bought version. Here are a few simple and fabulous (child-care tested!) recipes and some extended ideas on how to create new experiences from an old favourite.
You have a squishy lump of dough that is definitely edible according to your toddlers, but what else can you do with it?
Here are 5 simple ideas you could try with just things you find around the home and garden!
Lavender, peppermint, vanilla, coconut, chamomile… whatever you love the smell of, is safe for consumption and will be a wonderful sensory experience that will leave a lovely smell in the playroom afterwards.
Rosemary is a personal favourite of The Brook staff as we have so much growing in our garden. Parsley, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, gum leaves and oregano are great additions for touch, taste and smell and it adds a hint of a homely kitchen to role play experiences.
Think beach, without so much mess! Take your children on a beach hunt and let them pick up all those little bits and pieces that we parents may often accidentally ‘lose’ on the way home. Make some dough and off you go! Children love to squish things into other things and the perfect combinations of hard, soft, gritty, smooth, slippery and crunchy add so much flair to such a simple task. Who knew those bits and pieces could be so useful!
Head into the backyard or down the local park and pick up some sticks and bark and rocks. Take your playdough and voila! This is an experience worth sharing with your child. Look at pictures of wild animals (Aussie animals have particularly interesting features) and try to recreate those funky shapes.
Get out your pots and pans, measuring cups and spoons and remember, play dough is edible (though not to our taste…) and comes off like any other dough! While you bake your children can too! Ask them to measure out quantities, practice rolling, press into shapes and use their scientific knowledge to adapt into cooking experiences. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy and add a few ingredients to create an authentic experience. The memories are definitely worth capturing on camera.
Try another fun DIY Project for Kids: Making Ghost Bookmarks
Never underestimate a child’s play. Although it might look like simple leisure time when kids are fighting dragons, riding unicorns and making potions, they are actually developing crucial life skills and preparing their brains for the many challenges of adulthood.
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If you live around Brisbane, Lutwyche, Kedron, Chermside, Gordon Park, Aspley or Hendra, you’ve found the right place.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information about our child care services.