With all of the enticing aroma and none of the super-stickiness, this maple scented play dough makes a sweet addition to the sensory supplies! It only takes a few easily found ingredients and a couple of minutes to create!
Prepping the Maple Play Dough
Start with the BEST play dough recipe base ever.
- 1 cup flour
- 1 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tbsp oil
Then, the not-so-secret ingredient – add 2 Tablespoons of maple extract. If it is hard to find maple extract, 1/4 cup maple syrup can be used.
Mix all ingredients, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. When the dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan, remove it from the heat. Knead the dough until it’s smooth!
Please note that if maple syrup is used, the dough must be stored in the refrigerator. Maple extract, however, is shelf-stable and will last a few weeks in an air-tight container.
Setting Up a Maple Play Dough Station
Of course, maple play dough is great fun as a center in itself, but sometimes adding a few small details really makes the center come alive! Try adding:
- rolling pins
- spatulas
- plates
- aprons
- blue round beads (for blueberries)
- sprinkles or confetti
- round cookie cutters in a variety of sizes
This activity is a great partner for a pancake shop dramatic play center.
Preface this activity with one of these great picture books about pancakes!
- Rhinos Don’t Eat Pancakes by Anna Kemp
- Pancakes, Pancakes! by Eric Carle
- Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie dePaola
- Pancake Pandemonium by Anita Pouroulis
- Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Josh Funk
- If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff
- Green Dinosaur Pancakes by Kat Pigott
- The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli
- Curious George Makes Pancakes by H.A. Rey
Have fun playing and learning – and enjoying the sweet smell of maple syrup – with your students today!
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