This week in science, the Red Room students made their own playdough, which they will use in future science activities to compare model magic and playdough for building. Reading the book “Change it! Solids, liquids, gases and you” helped us better understand the different states of matter. The students then used both the solid and liquid ingredients needed to make playdough and had to figure out what happens when these states of matter are combined in specific amounts.

Providing ingredients for children to make their own playdough is valuable because it encourages creativity, promotes hands-on sensory exploration, and helps develop fine motor, cognitive, and language skills. This process also teaches children to follow instructions, understand measurement concepts, and solve problems independently.

But why did we make our own playdough?

1) Cognitive Skills

Children learn early math concepts, such as measuring and counting, and gain a practical understanding of quantities. The process also enhances problem-solving as they follow a recipe and predict outcomes.

2) Sensory Exploration

Children experience a wide range of textures, temperatures, and colors, creating a rich sensory experience.

3) Science Concepts

Children learn basic chemistry by observing how ingredients mix and transform into dough, and can experiment with adding colors or spices to change the properties.

4) Language and Literacy

The activity expands vocabulary through describing textures (e.g., “smooth,” “lumpy”) and can be used to teach letters and shapes.

5) Independence and Creativity

Giving children the tools to make their own dough allows for a high degree of autonomy, self-expression, and creativity.

6) Engagement

The entire process, from gathering ingredients to the final creation, is highly engaging and can be a fun, interactive experience.

Single Batch Playdough Recipe

This small-batch, no-cook recipe is quick to make and produces a soft, pliable playdough.

Yields: about 1 cup of playdough

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup salt

1 tsp cream of tartar

1.5 tsp vegetable oil

⅓ cup boiling water (for an adult to add)

Food coloring of choice

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar. Mix well.

2. Add oil to the dry ingredients. Mix.

3. Carefully add food coloring to boiling water (adults only).

4. Pour colored water into the bowl with the dry ingredients and oil (adults only). Mix with a spoon until the dough begins to come together.

5. Once the mixture has cooled enough to touch, turn it out onto a flat surface and knead well until smooth and uniform.

6. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour and knead it in. If it’s too dry, add a little more warm water.

7. Store playdough in an airtight container. It should stay good for about two weeks.