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A mother prepares edible playdough for her infant

Edible Playdough

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An assortment of edible playdough rests on a kitchen coutnertop
Try adding natural food coloring to your dough for added sensory engagement.

Edible Playdough is a fun and easy recipe that is sure to be a hit with your infant! It encourages early creativity and exploration, enhances fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.

Benefits of Edible PlayDough

1. Encourages Sensory Exploration

  • Infants learn through touch, taste, and smell. The soft, squishy texture helps them explore different sensations.

2. Develops Fine Motor Skills

  • Squishing, rolling, and pressing the dough strengthens hand muscles.
  • Helps improve grip and coordination, which supports early writing skills later on.

3. Safe for Mouthing

  • Edible playdough eliminates concerns of toxicity, since it is made from food-safe ingredients, reducing worry for parents.

4. Boosts Creativity and Problem-Solving

  • Allows your infants to experiment with shapes and textures.
  • Encourages curiosity and independent exploration.

5. Introduces Early Cause-and-Effect Learning

  • Infants see how pressing, pulling, or rolling changes the dough’s shape.
  • Helps them understand basic concepts of action and reaction.

6. Provides a Calming Sensory Experience

  • Squishing and kneading can be soothing for infants.
  • Helps regulate emotions and provides a fun, stress-free activity.

Ready To Create?

Here’s What You’ll Need:

Supplies:

  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup salt
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (similar oils can be used, but be mindful of potential allergies. Example: Peanut and Coconut Oils)
  • ½ cup water
  • Natural food coloring (optional)

Directions:

  1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
  2. Add vegetable oil and water gradually, kneading until the dough forms.
    • *Remember this will likely end up in your infant’s mouth, so use as little oil as possible to avoid digestive upset.
  3. Divide into portions and add food coloring if desired.
  4. Let your infant explore by squishing, rolling, and pressing the dough.

Disclaimer: NEVER leave your infant unattended during playtime, especially with edible crafts. Playdough, while safe, can create a choking hazard if the consistency is sticky or dense.


RELATED: Edible Finger Paint For Infants


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