Playdough - OTPlan

The Cardboard Key Turn Challenge

Steps:

Find an empty shoe box and use your markers to draw a small keyhole circle on one side.
Help your child use the scissors to cut a narrow slit right through the center of that circle.
Open the box and press a large lump of playdough firmly against the inside wall behind the hole.
Close the lid and use your markers to decorate a craft stick to look like a colorful magic key.
Ask your child to hold the box steady with one hand while they aim the key into the hole.
Challenge them to push the stick into the playdough and twist it back and forth like a key!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child when they are using scissors to cut the cardboard. Make sure the playdough stays inside the box and is not put in the mouth.

The Snake Rim Marble Run

Steps:

Place the paper plate on the table.
Take a large piece of playdough.
Roll it into a very long, thick snake using both hands.
Press the playdough snake firmly around the very edge of the paper plate to make a wall.
Make sure the wall is smooth and even all the way around the plate.
Place a single marble inside the plate.
Hold the plate with both hands.
Tilt the plate slowly to make the marble roll along the playdough wall without falling out.
Challenge your child to go around the circle three times without stopping!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Marbles are a significant choking hazard and should be kept away from mouths at all times.

Felt Petal Patch Builder

Steps:

Have your child choose two or three colorful sheets of felt to make their garden flowers.
Show your child how to use child-safe scissors to cut the felt into small, three-inch squares.
Ask them to fold each felt square in half.
Snip the corners to create rounded petal shapes.
Encourage your child to squeeze the hole puncher to click a hole in the center of each felt piece.
Roll a large, heavy ball of playdough using both hands.
Press it flat onto a paper plate to make a steady base.
Pick up a pipe cleaner.
Slide the felt petals onto it one by one using pinching fingers.
Push the bottom end of the pipe cleaner deep into the playdough base to plant their finished flower!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child closely during scissor play. Collect any small felt scraps or playdough bits immediately to prevent choking.

The Noodle Ring Spire

Steps:

Roll a large ball of playdough using both hands.
Press the ball flat onto the table to make a steady base.
Push a wooden stick straight down into the center of the playdough so it stands upright like a pole.
Help your child hold the pool noodle steady with their helper hand.
Use a plastic safety knife to slice the pool noodle into thick, round rings.
Pick up one noodle ring and slide it over the wooden stick.
Stack all the rings to build a colorful, wobbly spire!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child closely when they are using a safety knife. Ensure the wooden stick is blunt and handled safely.

The Wobbly Straw Slalom

Steps:

Roll several small balls of playdough and press them onto a table to make steady bases.
Cut your straws into pieces about four inches long.
Stick one straw piece vertically into each playdough base to create slalom poles.
Line up your poles in a straight or zigzag row.
Tie a single large bead to the end of a long piece of string to act as your weight.
Hold the string with both hands and weave the bead around each straw pole from start to finish.
Challenge your child to go faster or weave the string in a specific pattern you call out!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Beads and playdough are choking hazards, so keep them away from younger siblings.