These days, it seems like kids really lack the creative play that I grew up with. Everyday for me was filled with imagining and playing house, and the kids now are all glued to their screens. As a parent, it seems like I almost have to trick my kids into creative play- like, I have to make them feel like it was their idea or something, haha. For my boys, playing with playdoh is one of those hands on activities that will keep them busy for hours. The trick is, you have to switch things up to keep them excited about the same activity. One of my favorite ways to do this, is to have themed playdoh activities, based on the holiday or season we are in. This activity idea combines creative play, letter practice, AND brings in a little holiday spirit. Give it a try!
What You'll Need:
-Playdoh (or we use homemade salt dough! It's super easy to throw together, and the kids can help you mix the ingredients and choose the colors)
-Cookie cutter letters (you can choose any festive words you want, but we went with "TURKEY")
-A rolling pin
1: Get out or make your dough.
2: Help your child roll it out flat.
3: Give them the letters and let them cut them out!
*Activity Notes:
-Try helping them make connections with the letters. For example, hold up the "R", tell them a few words that start with "R", mention that it's in their name, make the "Rrrr" sound for them, etc.
- Make a game out of finding the letters. Ask them if they can find the "T". When they find the right one, praise them! Then, cut out a bunch of that letter together.
-If cutting the letters alone out is a little too advanced for your toddler, just have them make imprints. The cookie cutters work great as stamps, too!