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
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).
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.
If this is your first time visiting Living Montessori Now, welcome! If you haven’t already, please join us on our Living Montessori Now Facebook page where you’ll find a Free Printable of the Day and lots of inspiration and ideas for parenting and teaching! And please follow me on Instagram, Pinterest (lots of Montessori-, holiday-, and theme-related boards), and YouTube. While you’re here, please check out the Living Montessori Now shop.
And don’t forget one of the best ways to follow me by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You’ll receive some awesome freebies in the process!
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!!