Play Dough Invitation
Dough plus one unexpected object. Set it out and say nothing.
- Ages
- 2–8 yrs
- Play
- 20–60 min
- Prep
- 4 min
- Mess
- some
- Energy
- calm
- Where
- at the table
You’ll need
Mostly things you probably have at home.
- play doughGet it on Amazon
- small figuresGet it on Amazon
Optional
- sticks and strawsGet it on Amazon
- cutters and a rollerGet it on Amazon
- beads and buttonsGet it on Amazon
- a tray to contain itGet it on Amazon
How to play
Before you start: Set the dough out on a tray with the small figures beside it. Do not build anything first — a finished example kills the invention.
Put the tray down in front of them and say nothing at all.
Wait. Most children start within a minute.
If they stall, press one small figures into the dough to make a footprint and leave it there.
Join in with your own patch of dough rather than improving theirs.
Ask what they made at the end, and take the answer at face value.
What it helps with
Keep it safe
- Small parts and dough are choking hazards for under-3s.
- Home-made salt dough is very salty if tasted.
Make it different next time
- Press the small figures in to make fossil prints, then guess which made which.
- Add dry spaghetti for spikes and legs.
Cleanup: Dough comes off the table with a dry scraper better than a wet cloth. Bag it airtight.
