Do you have some play dough in the house? Here is an activity that can extend its use: pasta imprints for fine motor and sensory play! It is a great toddler activity and preschool activity emphasizing fine motor skills.
We had some old-ish homemade play dough in the fridge and this is the second of three ways (here is the first) that I thought of to use it up.
We can create pasta imprints in the dough with dry noodles to engage in some fine motor and sensory play with the play dough. The benefits of playdough are many. Kids love using their hands to explore. It engages their fine motor development. Plus, playdough is a great table activity for a wide range of ages.
My preschooler got a bit creative with it at the end to take the activity in her own direction.
My almost-3 year old ended up making what she called “a birthday cake” and even sang “Happy Birthday” to herself.
Both kids enjoyed making prints and patterns with the pasta in the play dough. At the end, my daughter had folded and pressed all of the pasta (even her older brother’s share) into the chunk of dough. It was used to its fullest.
The playdough did go in the garbage after, as it had dried out a bit, but a great extension would be to dig out the pasta pieces to recover them.
If you are looking for easy play dough recipes, look here.
Also, check out this post for my Homemade Play Dough Puzzle Activity that is another great use for play dough you are just ready to throw away. Give it one more use!
What is your child’s favorite way to play with playdough?
I remember we like to play the house game, I don’t remember what its actually called but we loved that š
I would love to know.
Literally dashing to the kitchen to dig for pasta & try this out now!
Sounds great! Let me know how it goes. š
This looks like so much fun! I wish I had a little one around. Do you think I could convince my high schooler that this is a cool thing to do? LOL
This looks like great fun! Pasta and playdough is a great combination!
Thanks, Deirdre! It seemed to keep my 3 year old involved in some good play for a time.
I love this! Thanks for sharing =)
Newest follower! Iād love it if you would return the love!
Thanks, Jennie! I look forward to checking out your blog too. Thanks for sharing it with me.
Great idea! We get new playdough for Christmas and definitely have some old playdough we could use for this! š
Awesome, Emma! It is such a simple activity. Enjoy!