Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Count dough raindrops
Count fingertip raindrop marks in one piece of playdough.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
The dough counting page or paper and a crayon, plus age-appropriate playdough
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Print the counting page or write 1, 2 and 3 beside three large spaces. Place it on a clean table with one lump of dough.
Adult's role: Check dough ingredients and age guidance, stay beside the child and count together.
Let's make it happen
- Flatten the dough into one large patch in the space beside 1.
- Press one fingertip mark into the dough and count it aloud.
- Gather and flatten the same piece beside 2, make two marks, then repeat beside 3.
Make it simpler: Start with one mark and count it together.
Clean up: Put the dough away, discard a soiled page and wash hands and the table.
Playdough is not food. Keep it in one large piece and away from mouths; wash hands after play.