Make the Summer break easy with these free Ocean playdough mats. This free printable is a great way to help kids of all ages develop fine motor skills, be creative and learn all about marine life.
If your kids are going to be home from school this summer, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. These educational printables help preschoolers and kindergarteners learn all summer long. Check it out today.
Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase. Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times.
Materials Needed
- The free ocean playdough matspdf file
- Laminating machine or page protector
- Playdough
- Playdough tools
How to Prepare your Ocean Playdough Mats
1. Download and print the sea animal playdough mats
This set of ocean play dough mats is free for newsletter subscribers. Simply head to the bottom of the page and enter your email into the form, the mats pdf file will then be emailed directly to you.
2. Laminate the mats
Playdough can ruin paper, so you’ll need to find a way to protect your under the sea playdough mats in some way. Laminating them is a great option if you are a teacher in child care and are going to be using these mats year after year. It makes them more sturdy and easy to wipe down and clean.
If you are a mom at home and are doing this activity with your kids, then all you really need are some protective sheets, like dry erase pockets, that the mats can slip inside.
3. Gather your materials
You’ll need playdough in different colors to get the most out of these playdough sea creatures. However you’ll be amazed at what you can create with only 2 or 3 different colors.
I love to make my own playdough using this homemade play dough recipe. It’s wonderfully soft and lasts for so much longer than regular store bought playdough.
How to Play
1. Pick a mat.
There are 8 different ocean creature mats to choose from, so you can use this activity for small groups as well as individual children.
2. Roll the playdough into balls or snakes.
Manipulating the playdough like this is a fun way to help young children develop fine-motor skills (the muscles in their hands and fingers).
3. Follow the lines of the marine animals using playdough.
Use the mats as a guide to make your own ocean animals. There is no right or wrong way to do this activity, just play and have fun.
4. Add some fun features.
If you have more than one color of playdough, you can give your creatures eyes, a mouth or maybe even a coral reef to swim through.
Summer Themed Fine Motor Activities
If you’re looking for more ways to help kids with their fine motor skills development, then take a look at these other Summer themed play ideas.
- Ocean Playdough Invitation to Play
- Sun Scissor Skills Activity
- DIY Rainbow Fish Peg Board
- Sunflower Seed Sweep
- Glow in the Dark Weaving for Kids
Or check out this list of Summer Fine Motor Activities for Kids.
Are you going to try these Sea Animal Playdough Mats with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later
Summer Activity Pack
Educational printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners for this Summer.
This electronic file is for personal home use and classroom use only. It is not for commercial purposes. By using it, you agree that you will not copy or reproduce the file except for your own personal, non-commercial use.
