TinyStepper
Child crouching on pavement drawing bright suns and flowers with chalk

Playdough Creations

Mold, squish, and create with playdough and simple tools.

Activity details

18m–4y15 minslowindoorPlastic CupsPlay DoughScissors (Child-Safe)

Instructions

Tiny Steps

Get ready
  • Set up at a table with a placemat or tray
  • Give them a ball of playdough (homemade or store-bought)
  1. Set up at a table with a placemat or tray
  2. Give them a ball of playdough (homemade or store-bought)
  3. Provide tools: cookie cutters, plastic knife, rolling pin, plastic cups
  4. Demonstrate rolling, smashing, cutting
  5. Ask open questions: 'What are you making?'
  6. For younger toddlers, focus on exploration—no 'product' needed
  7. Add small toys to press into dough (animals, cars)
  8. Store playdough in airtight container when done

Parent tip

Set out plastic cups and play dough before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Proud child holding up a painted sheet covered in bright handprints and splatters

What success looks like

Messy hands and a child who doesn’t want to stop. The artwork doesn’t need to look like anything — the process is the point.

Classic sensory play that strengthens hand muscles for writing and builds creativity. The squishing, rolling, and pinching motions are excellent for developing the hand strength toddlers need for holding pencils and using utensils. Open-ended by nature, playdough lets children explore at their own pace without a right or wrong answer, building confidence alongside fine motor skills.

Why it helps

Squishing, rolling, and pinching playdough strengthens the hand muscles needed for pencil grip and using utensils. The open-ended nature builds creativity and confidence, while the repetitive motions have a calming, regulating effect on the nervous system. Development Matters identifies activities like this as key for developing the hand strength and finger coordination that support later writing.

Variations

  • Add essential oils or spice extracts to the dough for a scented sensory experience.
  • Press natural items like leaves, shells, and sticks into the dough to make imprints.
  • Hide small toys inside balls of dough for a surprise dig-out game.

Safety tips

  • Supervise to ensure playdough is not eaten, especially homemade versions with high salt content.
  • Check that tools like cookie cutters have no sharp edges.
  • Store playdough in an airtight container to prevent it drying out and crumbling.