Ocean Playdough Invitation to Play - Taming Little Monsters

Ocean playdough is a fun activity to try this summer time. Use it as a part of a sea theme for your toddler or preschool classroom. Start exploring ocean life with your kids using this easy play idea.

Since this playdough is made with natural ingredients, it’s 100% taste-safe. So even babies and very young toddlers can join in on the fun.

If you want to make your Summer themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.

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Summer Fine Motor Ideas

Developing fine motor skills is really important in the early years, and comes with so many amazing benefits. Here are some more summer play ideas to help little fingers get stronger.

For more ideas, check out this list of 15 Summer Fine Motor Activities for Kids

Materials Needed

2.5 cups Boiling water
2.5 cups flour
1 ¼ cup salt
1 ½ Tbsp Cream of Tartar
5 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
Blue food coloring
Blue glass pebbles
Toy ocean creatures

How to Make Ocean Playdough

Step 1. Mix together the dry ingredients

The first part of making homemade play dough is to mix the flour, salt and cream of tartar together in a large bowl.

2. Add in the oil and boiling water

If you are making the playdough with your kids, this is the part that really requires adult supervision. Be extra careful to ensure that no one gets burnt.

3. Knead the dough together until it’s a smooth consistency.

If your dough is too sticky, add a little bit more flour. If it’s too crumbly, then add a bit more water.

You can adjust these two ingredients, slowly, until you get a consistency that you like.

4. Add in the food coloring

I divided up the playdough into three balls and gave each one a different color. 1 had no color, 1 had only blue, and the last one had a combination of both blue and green.

Place 5-10 drops of food coloring into the center of the playdough. Then knead it until all of the playdough is colored.

While you can always add the food coloring during step 2, I prefer to do it this way because then I can adjust the color as I go. If you’re not after a specific color of shade, then feel free to add in the food coloring along with the water.

5. Organize the props

I included toy ocean animals and blue glass pebbles along with the playdough. Then let my kids play however they wanted.

When finished playing, you can store the playdough in a ziploc bag or an air tight container. It’ll keep for months if stored properly, making it a fantastic option for a busy bag.

Different Ways to Play with your Ocean Playdough

Make playdough kits that explore the sea creatures native ocean habitat. For example, tropical vs polar regions. The kids will have so much fun making their own small world with playdough.

1. Use small parts, like sea shells, buttons and pipe cleaners, to make coral reefs. These are easy to pick up at the dollar store and can be packed away for another day.