Material: Playdough

Clip Straightener Stack

Clip Straightener Stack

Steps:

  • Secure the paper plate on the table. Use your child’s helper hand to stabilize it. Roll the playdough into a long log shape and press it firmly onto the plate to create a resistant base.
  • Pick up one paper clip. Encourage your child to use both hands together to pull and bend the paper clip until it is completely straight. This requires concentration and effort.
  • Using a precise pincer grasp (thumb and pointer finger), push the sharp end of the straightened wire deep into the resistant playdough roll. Continue this process until the plate is full of straight wire posts.

Safety Tip:
Paper clips can become sharp once straightened. Adults must supervise closely to ensure the wires are only used in the playdough and not near the face. Monitor for choking if the child mouths small pieces of playdough.

Squeeze Noodle Maker

Squeeze Noodle Maker

Steps:

  • Adult Step: Take a Ziplock Bag and cut a tiny corner (less than 1/4 inch) off the bottom corner. Roll a soft piece of Playdough into a log shape and place it inside the bag, pushing it toward the cut corner.
  • Place the Paper Plate on the table. Show your child how to hold the top of the bag securely with their helper hand to provide proximal stability.
  • Encourage your child to use their dominant hand to squeeze the Playdough firmly downward, forcing the dough through the tiny hole to create ‘spaghetti noodles’ on the plate. Cheer on their strong effort!

Safety Tip:
Constant adult supervision is required. Ensure the Ziplock bag and any loose pieces of extruded dough are monitored and not placed in the mouth, as they pose a choking hazard.

Pizza Party

Preparation:

Retrieve the following items:

  1. Homemade playdough
  2. Red paint
  3. Spoon
  4. Topping (i.e. leaves, buttons, pompoms, etc.)

Play:

Have the child:

  1. Roll the playdough into a ball (encourage the child to use both hands when rolling the dough to work on bilateral coordination).
  2. Flat the ball to create the base of the pizza.
  3. Smear the red paint (i.e. “pizza sauce”) with a spoon or with their finger.
  4. Tear up tiny dough pieces to create the cheese.
  5. Sprinkle the cheese and toppings on the pizza.
  6. Garnish with leaves.

Enjoy playing with this pretend pizza!

Tip: After you are finished playing with the pretend pizza, fold it in half and use the fork to press down the edges to make a pretend empanada!

 

Playdough Therapy Treasure

OTPlanDough Unicorn kit

For this activity, you can use pegs, beans, beads, coins, and small toys.

Hide the small objects in the play-dough and ask the child to dig his fingers in and search for the hidden treasure.

Encourage the child to stretch the play-dough and work his fingers in.

When the child finds the treasure, ask him to take the object out using his thumb and pointer to promote pincer grasp.

If using pegs, you can use the pegboard and have the child design a picture on the board or you can ask him to draw lines, shapes, or letters.

If you choose to use beads you can have the child lace them on a string and make a necklace.

Forky from Toy Story

Forky - Toy Story 4

Building your own Forky character can help promote bilateral coordination and grasp skills.

Forky’s Face

To create Forky, we will need a plastic spork or a spoon.

Glue 2 different size wiggle eyes to the backside of the spork.

Use a red or pink marker to color the cheeks.

Roll blue playdough between your hands to create a thin line. Attach the 2 ends of the line to form a mouth for Forky and glue it on the spork.

Roll a piece of red playdough between your hands to create a thin line for the eyebrow.

Feet

Cut or break the craft stick to 2 equal size sticks.

Roll a piece of playdough between your hands to create a ball.

Stick the cut edge of the craft sticks into the playdough.

Flatten the bottom and use your finger to pinch the top-up.

Use markers to write your name on the bottom of the feet.

Body

Stick the spork into the top part of the playdough ball.

Arms

Find the middle of the red pipe cleaner.

Wrap the pipe cleaner around the spork just below the face.

Create palms at both ends of the pipe cleaners by folding the edges into a wiggly line.