This fall play dough invitation combines some of the scents, colors, and symbols of fall. Make some pumpkin scented play dough. Then add in some loose parts to encourage tons for creativity. It’s perfect for a preschool pumpkin theme!
Today’s Fall Invitation to Play
We were so eager to welcome fall that we set this out as an invitation to play starting on September 1st, and the kids have enjoyed using it daily since then. I’m sure this will be an invitation we have set out throughout the season.
Materials
- pumpkin play dough
- acorns
- pumpkin seeds
- fake leaves (real leaves will work, but the fake ones hold up a bit better)
- small twigs
Ways Children Might Use the Materials
Below is a brief list of skills kids might practice using these materials. However, as I watch kids interact with new invitations I am always impressed by their creativity in using materials in ways that I may never have thought of. This kind of free exploration is one of things I enjoy most about invitations to play.
- Sensory Exploration
- Fine Motor
- Creativity
- Counting
- Patterning
- Oral Language and Story Telling
Tinker immediately thought the leaves would make great hair for her pumpkin person.
Lovey was also inspired to create pumpkin people. She had an elaborate story to tell about this little pumpkin boy.
Now that you’ve seen today’s invitation to play, head on over and see what the other members of the series have planned for you. And don’t forget to look for tomorrow’s new invitation to play!
Pumpkin Themed Sensory Invitation to Playby My Nearest and Dearest
Decorate Pinecones for Fall by Buggy and Buddy
Glowing Discovery Bottles by Play Trains!
Create a Fall Forest by Twodaloo
Pumpkin Pie Play Dough Fractions by Fantastic Fun and Learning
The Homemade Play Dough Recipe Book
Want more great play dough ideas and inspiration? I can’t say enough about The Homemade Play Dough Recipe Book written by Cathy James of NurtureStore. It has quickly become a handy reference guide for me regarding all things play dough. The book contains:
- all the recipes you need for the activities in the book including non-cook and cooked play dough, gluten-free dough, salt dough, modelling dough, and real bread.
- ideas for 52 weeks of loose parts play, in a printable poster format
- a whole year of play dough activities, arranged seasonally. There’s an idea for every week of the year including sensory and imaginary play, storytelling, art ideas, small worlds, math activities, reading and writing ideas.
Gail Lindsay
Dowloaded the playdough book and no recipe for pumpkin play dough. Where is it? Gail
Shaunna Evans
Use the basic play dough recipe in the book and add your preferred scents. I like to add pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. If you’d like it colored add a bit of orange food coloring or liquid watercolors. Hope you love it as much as we do!
Rebecca from here Come the Girls
This is so lovely. I just want to dive in and start playing myself!
I had to feature it in a round up of Autumn ideas: http://www.herecomethegirlsblog.com/2013/09/21/fall-activities-kids.html
Mary Catherine
Just awesome! I must admit, the pumpkin people are my favorite. 🙂 Beautifully engaging idea for children, and beautiful pictures to go along with it. Thanks for linking up with Share It Saturday. I’m featuring you this week!
Shaunna
Thank you, Mary Catherine! I love their little pumpkin people, too.
jessica
love the natural loose parts! i have some cinnamon and nutmeg spiced dough that would go nicely with these parts…must get some pumpkin seeds! thank you for sharing!
Shaunna
Yes, sometimes adding a few new elements can add a whole new life to play dough. Enjoy!
W. Lion
I am going to try this for my daughters class! Thank you for putting these ideas together.
white lion moving company blogger group
whitelion.com
Shaunna
I hope the kids enjoy it!
Jaime “FSPDT” JJ
Love thus set up! Featuring you on kids coop today, jaime
Shaunna
Thanks, Jamie!
Angela @ Teaching Mama
This is such a good idea! I love what she created. 🙂
Jessica @ Play Trains!
When the kiddo saw this over my shoulder, he said, “Ooooh, what’s that?” 🙂 Great testament to just how inviting this invitation is. I love Lovey’s pumpkin boy…so cool!
Shaunna
Thanks, Jessica! Glad he likes the idea. I’m sure he’d come up with some great creations of his own.
Jen
Beautifully set up, Shaunna! I just adore the acorns and fall leaves! 🙂
Shaunna
Thank you, Jen! I always love your presentation, so that is a great compliment coming from you!
chelsey
Great invitation! I wish I could find pretty acorns like yours~ in search of some oak trees! I am going to try this one next week!!
Shaunna
Ooh! Maybe we can do a fall nature finds swap. We have tons and tons of acorns and very little else reminiscent of fall! 🙂
Ann @ My Nearest and Dearest
Gorgeous, Shaunna! This is right up our alley. Also, I love the platters that you use for some of your invitations. Are they just plastic serving platters?
Shaunna
Yes, I can see the kiddos at your house getting a lot of use out of this invitation. Our platters are plastic. I find them now and then at Walmart in a variety of colors. They are very inexpensive ($1, maybe $2) and they come in very handy…as you can tell by how often they show up on this blog. We use them for invitations, paint trays, snack trays, pretend play and more. 🙂
Hannah
Great fall playdough fun!