Playdough is one of the most valuable tools in our Peaceful Preschool routine.
It’s more than just a fun activity—it's a hands-on way to develop fine motor skills, reinforce early literacy and math concepts, and encourage open-ended creativity.
We love using playdough to form letters for phonics practice, create counting objects for early math, and strengthen little hands for future writing skills. Making your own playdough adds another layer of learning as children measure, mix, and observe how simple ingredients transform.
Plus, adding essential oils makes it a calming sensory experience—perfect for quiet afternoons or winding down before nap time.
Basic Playdough Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup salt
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra softness)
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (helps with elasticity)
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 cup water
- Several drops of essential oil (lavender for calming, peppermint for focus, citrus for energy)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir vigorously until the mixture thickens and forms a ball.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Knead until smooth.
- For added fun, divide into sections and mix in different colors or essential oils.
- Store in an airtight jar—keeps indefinitely!
Playdough Variations for Extra Fun
🌿 Nature-Inspired Dough – Add dried herbs (like rosemary or chamomile) for extra texture and scent.
🍫 Cocoa Dough – Replace ¼ cup of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich, chocolatey smell.
🍊 Citrus Burst Dough – Add a teaspoon of lemon zest or orange essential oil for a refreshing scent.
💎 Sparkle Dough – Mix in fine glitter to make a shimmering, magical dough.
☃️ Snow Dough – Swap cornstarch for baking soda, and keep in the fridge for a cool sensory experience.
Peaceful Preschool Activities with Playdough
📖 Letter & Name Practice – Roll playdough into letter shapes to introduce phonics. Use letter stamps or cookie cutters for extra fun!
🔢 Counting & Math Games – Shape small balls or cubes to practice simple counting, adding, and subtracting.
🎭 Storytelling & Imaginative Play – Create characters, animals, or settings from your child’s favorite Peaceful Preschool book.
🍂 Nature Stamping – Press leaves, pinecones, or flowers into playdough to explore textures and patterns.
👩🍳 Baking Pretend Play – Give kids rolling pins, cookie cutters, and play dishes to “bake” their own pretend treats.By incorporating playdough into your daily rhythm, you’re not just keeping little hands busy—you’re fostering creativity, problem-solving, and joyful learning. Have fun experimenting with new scents, colors, and activities to make playdough time a treasured part of your homeschool day!
Get more fun ideas for learning with your preschoolers in the Peaceful Preschool