“Magic Play Dough” is a fantastic way to start the school year off with a little extra wonder! A true attention grabber, it’s an activity that is a winner for every student, as well as a confidence booster. It’s not just magical for the students, though – it’s quick and easy for the teacher too.
Play dough is more than just a fun way to keep young children occupied and entertained. Children playing with the dough can get so much more out of it than just fun! (More about that here!)
Ingredients for Magic Play Dough
- One batch of white play dough
- One batch of colored play dough (or small batches of many colors!)
- Enough plastic bags or small containers for each student to have one.
When making the colored batch, be sure to add enough food coloring or liquid watercolor to make the dough quite saturated with color.
Assembly
First, use a melon baller and portion out small scoops of the colorful play dough.
Next, separate the dough into equal portions and flatten each one into a circle. These must be fairly thick. Place a ball of dyed dough on top of each disc.
Carefully wrap the white dough around the green ball, ensuring that none of the color is showing through. Place each ball of magic play dough into a plastic snack bag. Use a sparkly gift bag to contain all the individual portions of magic play dough.
During the first circle time together, tell the students about all of the wonderful fun they will have in preschool. Then explain that if the magic play dough changes color, it’ll be a great year, and they will be preschool superstars. When the students knead the play dough, it “magically” changes colors!
Younger children love play dough and find it nearly irresistible to engage with it. When their hands are busy, they are not focusing on missing their grown-ups. It encourages them to discuss with the other children while they work with the dough. And of course, many children find play dough soothing for big emotions! It’s a tremendous first-day activity for everyone!
FREE Play Dough Recipe Book!
Play Dough is the perfect tool for developing the hand strength and fine motor muscles necessary before young children are able to write!
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Here is a tried and true recipe for homemade play dough. It takes about 5 minutes to make it on the stove. Stored in airtight containers, it lasts for months!
Have fun playing and learning with your students!
FREE Play Dough Recipe Book!
Play Dough is the perfect tool for developing the hand strength and fine motor muscles necessary before young children are able to write!
After you subscribe, you will be redirected to the FREE Play Dough Book. We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Hi Jamie, you are a genius!! Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful idea!! Hugs, TeacherDeb
I don't know about that, but your comment definitely made my day! Thanks so much. 🙂
My nephew was telling us all about this play dough that could tell the future and I could NOT understand what he was talking about . . . I bet his teacher did the same thing! He was so excited because his play dough told him that he would have a great year in kindergarten!! 🙂
It's sounds like it!! Maybe we should call it "Crystal Ball Play Dough"?!!