If you’re looking for an activity that will help your toddler or preschooler develop concentration and fine-motor skills, don’t forget about playdough. I have a simple winter playdough tray that’s easily adapted for your child’s skill level. Plus, your child can make a playdough that’s super-soft and gentle on delicate hands in the coldest weather.
Simple Winter Playdough Tray – YouTube Video
Check out this cute 59-second video to see how simple the playdough recipe is and how much fun my 3-year-old granddaughter had with this simple activity!
Materials Used for the Winter Playdough Tray
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Winter Playdough Tray
- Playdough (For super-soft playdough, see recipe below.) Of course, you can make traditional no-cook playdough or buy playdough
- Divided Tray (mine was from The Dollar Tree, but you can get similar trays on Amazon)
- Winter Cookie Cutters
- Frosted Trees (from my Simple Snowman Sensory Bin)
Flocked Wooden Snowman(from my Simple Snowman Sensory Bin)- Snowflake gems (I’ve used these for a number of activities.)
- Snowflake Sequins (I used a different color of these in my Snowflake Sequin.)
- Playdough Tools (such as the Melissa & Doug tools, which I often use)
- Craft Gems (I use these for lots of activities.)
- 2 Cup Round Container for Center of Tray to Preserve Playdough between Uses (Fill with playdough and save remainder of playdough in a plastic bag or other container.)
Note: These are the materials I used. I already had all of them. Just use whatever winter materials you have or want to purchase for this and other activities.
How to Make Super-Soft Playdough
Even preschoolers can do almost every part of this playdough preparation!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup hand lotion or hair conditioner (or a mixture of both)
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon glitter (optional)
Instructions:
- Add hand lotion or hair condition and cornstarch
- Knead together the ingredients
- Knead in glitter if preferred.
Simple Winter Playdough Activities
Preparing Super-Soft, No-Cook Playdough
So many skills are gained when children make their own playdough!
Having Fun with Her “Monster Fingers”
And there’s always room for extra fun!
Creating a Winter Scene with Playdough
Your child can make a winter scene if you have any winter figures or ornaments available.
Using a Mitten Cookie Cutter
The squeezing, pressing, and molding involved in playdough work strengthen fingers and hands for writing. Adding seasonal cookie cutters and other seasonal items gives young children a better understanding of seasons.
More Montessori-Inspired Playdough Activities for Winter
Montessori-Inspired Playdough Activities 101
Montessori-Inspired Math Activities for Winter {Free Printables}
Montessori-Inspired Winter Playdough Activities
More Winter Activities:
- Free Winter Printables and Montessori-Inspired Winter Activities
- The Snowy Day Eggshell Crushing and Pin Poking Activity
- Montessori Winter Resources for Classroom or Home
- Montessori Winter Activities Printables for Preschool Through Elementary from Every Star Is Different
- Free Winter Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Winter Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Winter Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Montessori-Inspired Snowman Color Activities Using Free Printables
- Montessori-Inspired Snowman Letter Activities Using Free Printables
- Montessori-Inspired Winter Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Winter Playdough Activities
- Free Winter Printables and Montessori-Inspired Winter Math Activities
- 25+ Snow-Themed Sensory Tubs
- Simple Snowman Sensory Bin {A Fun Way to Work on Essential Skills for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Free Snowman Printables and Montessori-Inspired Snowman Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Winter Themes and Activities
- Teaching Toddlers about Winter with the Montessori 3-Period Lesson and Activities
- Free Snowflake Printables and Montessori-Inspired Snowflake Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Winter Activities with Spielgaben {Free Printables}
- Free Winter Playdough Math Pack (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Montessori-Inspired Playdough Math Activities for Winter {Free Printables}
- How to Prepare a Simple Winter Playdough Tray with Super-Soft Playdough
- Kids’ Winter Activities Pinterest Board.
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Playdough is still a helpful educational tool at my house! Thank you for explaining the tray! I think we are going to try a Valentines Day themed tray and maybe use it for math. I shared and pinned this. Such a helpful resource!!