Microwave Play Dough Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
4 Tablespoon cream of tartar
4 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup salt
2 cup water
*Add desired spices/scents/flavors and food coloring.
Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients in microwave safe bowl. (If using food coloring, add it to the 2 cups of water before
adding water). Stir the water and the oil into the dry ingredients until blended.
Cook on “high” for 5-6 minutes. Make sure to stir every two minutes until play dough clings to the
spoon and is no longer sticky. When ready, play dough will be pliable and soft. Be careful: Play dough
will be HOT.
Note: this is always a fun activity to engage your child in the process. Have them measure/pour
ingredients into bowl, use large wooden spoon to stir, etc.
Sensory Tips:
I like to have the kids play with play dough when it is warm or cold to add to their sensory experience.
Since this recipe is homemade, you can microwave for 10-30 seconds to warm or place in refrigerator
overnight so it will be nice and cold for play the next day.
If your child is tactile defensive, or if the situation/surface is not conducive to playing with play
dough…place the dough into a large Ziploc bag for play. They will still enjoy but not have the mess to
deal with
You can add scents/flavors such as vanilla, cocoa, spearmint to enhance their olfactory experience!
Adding glitter is always fun too!
Games:
1. Placing small items in paly dough and then having to find them using pincher fingers (thumb and
pointer fingers)
2. Rolling dough into large ball and have child pinch off small amounts to roll into smaller balls,
again, using pincher fingers only. This promotes in hand manipulation skills.
3. Roll dough into two equally sixed balls and place on flat, ground surface (I recommend a dry
erase board or tray). Encourage your child to stomp on the dough with their feet.
4. Roll the dough into a “hot dog” shape and encourage your child to pinch off small amounts or
use plastic knife to cut/slice the hot dog.
5. Using cookie cutters while playing with play dough is a nice way to promote language. You can
find them at any Giant grocery store, kitchenware retail store in the malls or Michael’s and
Amazon.com always seems to have what I want. I like to use cookie cutters for each season.
Apples, leaves, pumpkins and Halloween cutters for fall. Stars, stockings, candy canes,
Christmas trees, wreaths, gingerbread men for Holiday seasons. Snowmen, mittens, snowflakes,
penguins for winter. Flowers, shamrocks, eggs, butterflies and watering can for spring and flags,
ocean animals themes, sea shells and sports themed cutters for summer.