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Paper Play Dough

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Paper Play Dough

Use recycled paper to add a different texture to the children’s play dough. 

Materials Needed:

To make this dough, you will need the following supplies: 

  • 2 cup of flour 
  • 1/4 cup of salt 
  • Used paper that you want to recycled (7-8 sheets)
  • Containers like mixing bowls (2) 
  • Water

What to Do: 

  • The first step is to rip the paper into small pieces and place the pieces into a dish pan or other container and submerge it with water.
  • Add food colouring to the paper and water.
  • Measure out 1/2 cup flour and 1/4 cup salt and pour into a mixing bowl. 
  • Get your soaked paper and try to minimised the pieces (for the kids will be easier now). 
  • Scoop the pieces out of the water with your hand. 
  • Give them a gentle shake to remove the excess water, but try not to squeeze out all of the liquid. 
  • Add the soaked paper to the mixing bowl with the flour and salt.
  • Knead the dough for several minutes until it all comes together.
  • Keep stored in a dry, air-tight container.

Hints and Tips:

  • If the dough is not coming together well because it is a little too dry, add more water and keep kneading until you get the consistency you want. 
  • If the dough is too gooey, add a little more flour.  
  • The dough will have "chunks" of paper throughout it, the smaller you rip your paper and the smaller the pieces will be in your dough.
  • You can choose to add essential oil to the dough.
  • If you want to smooth it you can add 1 tsp of canola oil or corn syrup.

Additional Info

  • Appropriate Age: 2 year+
  • Number of Children: Individual (1), Couple (2), Few (3), Small Group (4)
  • Developmental Milestones:

    Following direction to helping create the dough.

    Play and create with the dough.

    Listen and follow directions, ask questions.

    Manipulation of the dough, rip the paper in pieces, spoon movement.

    Play with others / share resources.

  • Play Based Learning: Sensory Play, Manipulative Play
  • Interest Areas: Sensory Play
  • Games Categories: Fine Motor Skills, Manipulation Games, Quiet Games, Sensory Games
  • EYLF Outcomes: Learning Outcome 1, Learning Outcome 2, Learning Outcome 3, Learning Outcome 4
  • Sub Outcomes:

    1: Developing knowledge and self-confidence through new skill development, manipulating Play-Dough and utensils.

    2: Becoming aware of fairness through sharing materials and experiences

    3: Developing fine motor skills through manipulation of the Play-Dough. 

    4: Developing creativity, imagination, enthusiasm, confidence and persistence through creating with Play-Dough.

Created On August 1, 2015 Last modified on Saturday, August 1, 2015
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