It has been far too long since we’ve shared a new play dough invitation, but play dough is still a favorite around here for sure. Recently while sprucing up some or our flowerbeds outside, Tinker noticed some dead twigs on a shrub nearby. She said, “Look mama! These look like reindeer antlers.” She was right! And it gave me the idea for this new reindeer play dough invitation.
GET A FULL WEEK OF CHRISTMAS THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE PRESCHOOL CHRISTMAS LESSON PLANS.
Chocolate Play Dough Recipe
Bring 1.5 cups of water to a boil. In a large bowl combine 1.5 cups of flour, .5 cups salt, .5 cups unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tbsp cream of tarter, and 2 tbsp of vegetable oil. Stir in boiling water and knead the dough until it is well mixed and no longer sticks to the bowl. Keep working at it and you should get a soft, squishy dough that smells terrific and doesn’t leave any mess behind. If it is too sticky, add a little extra flour. If it is too dry, add a little extra water. As a final touch we also like to add a few drops of glycerin to give the play dough a little shine.
Additional Materials
- Acorns
- Small twigs
- Cranberries
What I love most about play dough invitations is watching how the different combinations of materials inspire kids to create different things. Tinker did create some reindeer, but her play went on and on. As it did her imagination was busy at work.
Here she created a forest wedding scene. The trees surround the bride and groom (girls are acorns, boys are cranberries).
Here she recreated a ride we recently rode at our local fair. In addition to all the fine motor work from handling and placing these materials, I loved the time we had chatting about what was on her mind as she was creating.
We all loved the texture and scent of this play dough, and we’ll be holding onto it for a while to use over and over again! Soon I’ll be sharing a Christmas learning activity that also features this play dough.
More Christmas Play Dough
Minty Christmas Tree Play Dough
Playful Reindeer Learning & Fun
Inside the 30-page Shape Reindeer Process Art and Math set you’ll get:
- Complete list of material suggestions
- Full directions for using both sets of shape art templates
- 9 extension activities, including math and literacy, to help you teach additional skills and concepts using your kids’ creations
- Shape Set with Title and Borders
- Plain Shape Set for Cutting Out Reindeer Shapes
- Sorting Cards for Math Whole Group and Small Group Activities
- Class Book Cover Template
Get Your Shape Reindeer Process Art Set Here
More Reindeer Fun
GET A FULL SET OF CHRISTMAS THEME ACTIVITIES
The 169-page Christmas Lesson Plan Set includes hands-on activities and these additional printables:
1) Beginning Letters Gift Sorting Game (in color and b/w)
2) Reindeer Math Mats (2 versions in color and b/w)
3) My Christmas Senses Activity Book Making Pieces
4) 0-35 Christmas Number Cards (2 versions in color and b/w)
5) Christmas Counting Syllables Sorting Game (in color and b/w)
6) Christmas Picture-Word Cards (in color and b/w)
7) Ornament Play Dough Mats
8) Candy Cane Play Dough Writing Task Cards (shapes, uppercase letters, lowercase letters, number 0-20)
9) Christmas Light Patterns Activity Pieces (in color and b/w)
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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