Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Learning · The activity desk
Dough seashell color match
Make pretend seashells to match colored shell drawings.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper, large child-appropriate crayons, and large portions of age-appropriate playdough in two colors
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: An adult draws two large shell outlines and colors each one to match a dough color.
Adult's role: Help name the colors and press the dough. The shells are imaginary; no real shells are needed.
Let's make it happen
- Choose a shell drawing and find the matching dough color.
- Press a large portion into a flat shell shape on a washable surface. Make lines with a finger.
- Place it beside the matching drawing, then make a shell for the other color.
Make it simpler: Use one color and one shell outline.
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.