Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Dough fish colors and counting
Make pretend fish in two colors and count them.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Large portions of age-appropriate playdough in two colors and a washable surface
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: Place dough on the surface and check ingredients for allergies.
Adult's role: Help shape large fish and count. Keep portions large and prevent tasting.
Let's make it happen
- Press a large portion of one color into an oval and pinch one end into a tail.
- Make a second large fish in the other color. Point to each fish and name its color.
- Count the fish together and tell a story about where they swim.
Make it simpler: Make one large fish and name its color.
Clean up: Put dough away out of reach of children and pets; wash hands and the surface.
For ages 3 and up with close adult supervision. Playdough is not food; prevent tasting and check ingredients for allergies. Keep it away from pets.