Homemade play doh is more than a craft.
There is something truly special about sitting down with a group of young children and knowing you are about to give them the freedom to explore. No rigid rules that stifle creativity and their natural curiosity. At Baby Got Bright, we love activities that feel simple but are packed with meaning. Homemade play doh is one of those quiet heroes. It invites curiosity, sparks creativity, and supports early learning in ways that feel like pure play.
This play doh recipe was created by my co instructor, Mrs. Danae. To make it, you will need the following supplies:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
1 tablespoon of olive oil (you can also use coconut or vegetable oil)
1 cup of water
any natural food dye
For an extra sensory layer, you can add natural scents like cinnamon.
In a large bowl, you will whisk together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar. In a medium pot, you will whisk together our “wet” ingredients, the water, food dye, and oil. Next, you will add the dry ingredients to this mixture and cook on low-medium heat. Continually stir until it comes together to form a ball and knead with your hands. Needless to say, our recommendation is allowing your child to assist you in the kitchen. During the whole process of forming the play doh, children can engage in transferring skills, measuring skills, stirring, and even just simply talking with you about what they see and smell. Right away, learning is happening.
Once the dough has cooled, the real magic begins. For preschool aged children, rolling and squishing play doh is a joyful workout for little hands. Helping build these muscles will support them in handwriting in future years. One of our favorite activities is a counting game that feels more like a celebration than a lesson. Invite children to roll three (or however many!) small dough balls. Place them in a row and count together out loud. Then comes the best part. They squish each one as they count, one, two, and three. This simple action connects movement, sound, and number sense in a way that young brains understand.
From a sensory enrichment perspective, this activity checks so many boxes. Children are using their sense of touch as they squeeze and roll the dough. If you add color, they engage their sense of sight. With scented dough, their sense of smell joins in too. You can even talk about the soft sound the dough makes as it squishes and invite them to describe how it feels. This turns play doh time into a gentle five senses experience that supports sensory processing and awareness.
Math skills also grow naturally through this activity. Counting the doh balls builds one to one correspondence, which is a foundational math concept. Children are not just reciting numbers. They are matching each number to an action. This helps numbers feel real and meaningful. Over time, children begin to recognize quantity, compare groups, and feel more confident with early counting skills.
Fine motor development is another beautiful benefit. Rolling small balls, pinching dough, and pressing it flat all strengthen the muscles in the hands and fingers. These are the same muscles children will later use for writing, buttoning clothes, and using scissors. Because play doh is forgiving and fun, children are motivated to keep practicing without frustration.
As children grow, this activity can easily grow with them. To add a challenge, invite them to form numbers out of the dough instead of just counting balls. You can also ask them to make groups of different sizes and tell you which group has more or less. Another fun idea is to use simple tools like popsicle sticks or cookie cutters to create shapes and count the sides. For children who love stories or for the ones who may struggle with comprehending a story, you can turn the dough into characters. These are just the activities I have brainstormed. If an idea comes to you or your child, by all means, go with the flow!
Homemade play doh is more than a craft. It is an invitation to slow down, explore, and learn together. With a thoughtful recipe from Mrs. Danae and a little imagination, this simple material becomes a powerful tool for sensory enrichment, early math learning, and fine motor development. Best of all, it reminds us that some of the most meaningful learning moments happen right at the kitchen table or classroom floor. From what I have seen, if their hands are a little messy, then their hearts are almost always fully engaged.
Happy Messy Days!
-Mrs. Joanne