Homemade Sensory Fun

The kids are home, everyone’s outdoors, let’s have some good old-fashioned messy fun!  Why messy fun? Of the five senses, the sense of touch is developmentally important. We regularly allow our kids to play with sand, and with water in the bath, but beyond wet and sandy, how many other sensations can they describe?

All of the following exploration exercises enhance their sense of touch and are of course fun to work with! The best part is that these recipes use what you have in your cupboard at home. Take time to discuss the feeling of the materials as you explore them with your child.

You will need to set sensible limits with your child and of course choose a space that can get wet/dirty.  When in doubt, use drop clothes and smocks/aprons. I keep a cheap plastic tablecloth on hand for messy fun. I hose it off when we’re all done! If your child has a tendency to taste their activity, please monitor them closely and omit activities that won’t be safe for your child. You are the parent, you know best!

Homemade Play Dough Recipe

You will need:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup salt
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• food colour (gel colour works best for strong colours)

Instructions:

1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large saucepan.
2. Mix the wet ingredients together in a small bowl. 
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and thoroughly mix with a wooden spoon. 
4. Transfer pot to stovetop, cook and stir mixture over med-low heat until a large ball begins to form and it resembles bread dough.
5. Turn mixture out onto a floured cutting board and knead until soft and smooth. If you find the dough is sticky, sprinkle a little more flour on the dough and knead in.
6. The end product is ready to play with when cool.
7. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. 

Don’t forget to raid your drawers for tools and cookie cutters. Kids can safely use butter knifes for cutting and shaping, wooden rolling pins, ricers for making “hair”, muffin tins and unlit birthday candles to make 'cupcakes'.

Be sure to choose an appropriate surface for playing with the dough – use a plastic tablecloth or placemats to protect porous surfaces from the food colouring. 

Photo Credit: Ohdeedoh.com

Cynthia E. is a Preschool Teacher and Co-Owner of Building Blocks Learning Centre. She has been an educator since 1983 and enjoys building a creative hands-on curriculum for her students.

Building Blocks Learning Center is located on Woodbine Avenue in Markham, near Highways 407 and 404, and serves the needs of families in Richmond Hill, Unionville and Markham. For more information visit: buildingblockslearningcentre.com.

This article is not to be reprinted without written permission. ©2011