Playdough Center for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten
Play Dough Center
How to set up a Play Dough Center in your preschool, pre-k, Head Start or kindergarten classroom.
How do you organize your play dough center?
The picture below shows how the play dough center is organized. There is a tub for each type of tool and they are clearly labeled. Materials are available on a counter so students can stand. Tasks like rolling lend themselves well to a standing position.
Young children don’t have much upper body strength and they usually end up standing or kneeling when they play with dough even if chairs are provided because this position allows them a better angle at which to roll and manipulate the dough.
What materials do you keep in your play dough center?
The picture below shows close up photos of each bin in my play dough center and the materials in those bins.
The Best Play Dough Tools
1. Textured Rolling Pins
2. Dough Extruders
3. Plastic Dough Scissors
4. Dough Tools
5. Cookie Cutters
6. Alphabet Dough Stampers
Dough Stampers
Check out how this child used dough stampers to stamp numbers in cupcakes- what fun! The silicone cupcake liners are from the dollar store.
This little one is having fun with cookie cutters in the play dough center!
Play Dough Names
Learning and fun while stamping names in play dough with these alphabet dough stampers!
Cutting Play Dough
Using scissors to cut play dough is excellent cutting practice! These plastic dough scissors are perfect for cutting dough and won’t rust like metal blades will.
Rolling Play Dough
These sturdy, wooden rolling pins are perfect for exercising and strengthening the muscles of the hands, wrists, and shoulders needed for holding and writing with pencils and crayons!
How to Use Floor Tiles in the Play Dough Center
Read more about how you can use inexpensive floor tiles in the play dough center on the blog HERE.
Play Dough I Can Cards
Download the Play Dough I Can Task Cards on the blog HERE.
Play Dough Mat Printables
Click on the pictures below to download the free play dough mats.
Birthday Counting Mat
Apple Counting Mat
5 Little Pumpkins Counting Mat
Download the 5 Little Pumpkin Play Dough Counting Mats HERE.
Homemade Play Dough Recipe
Making your own play dough is always better than buying it. Homemade play dough lasts longer than store bought and it is softer and more pliable. I have tried using store bought brands in class and I notice that the children are much more eager to play in the play dough center if it is homemade. Here is my favorite play dough recipe below:
- 2 cups white flour
- ¼ cup cream of tartar*
- ½ cup salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups water
- food coloring
Mix dry ingredients together in a medium pot. Add water and vegetable oil. Cook and stir over medium heat three to five minutes. When it begins to form a ball in the center of the pot, remove from heat and let cool in pot. Add food coloring of your choice (you may want to wear gloves and an apron for this part!) Store in an airtight container.
You can also add scents to playdough such as peppermint and lavender. I like to use essential oils to add these scents to my homemade playdough recipe. Certain scents not only smell great but also have added benefits, like lavender which can have a calming effect.
Play Dough Resources
