Young children love to press toys into playdough! So when I was setting up our farm theme, I chose to add farm animals to the playdough table and it was a huge hit! Grab whatever farm animals you have on hand. I’ve tried this with small and larger animals and both provided lots of fine motor fun.
I make sure this center is near our classroom door because it’s the first area children see when they arrive. This is very beneficial for those who are dealing with some separation anxiety, or who might just need some quiet “comfort time” before moving on to the rest of the activities. We change out our playdough table with each theme, usually every two weeks. Watch: Tips for Handling Separation Anxiety Some of our playdough ideas:
Color Mixing Fun Apples and Red Playdough Elmer the Elephant Squeezing Playdough
Farm Animals and Playdough Activity
Supplies
Playdough (Recipe is in this post.) Assorted farm animals Assorted playdough tools Mats, trays or mirrors
Set Up
I like to use something to mark each spot at the playdough table. Sometimes I use trays or themed playdough mats but often I will use mirrors. Place a ball of playdough on each mat/mirror, flatten a bit with your hand, and press one or more animals on each one as an invitation. Include a tray of playdough tools or scatter them around the table.
In fact, I love watching what they will do when they first sit at this table. Sometimes a teacher will sit with the children and model using the provided tools, or show the children how to roll a small piece in their palms. This area is also where I love to sit and have a one-on-one conversation with a child, or a small group of children. Watch: Playdough Favorites After either pressing the ball of playdough with palms or by using the rolling pin, the children can push the animals on to the surface.
When they lift the animals, they will notice impressions in the playdough.
This is when they can be encouraged to count the animals, if you happen to be sitting with them.
Farm Books
Clack! Moo! Oink! (I have each child press an animal button during circle time.) Night Night Farm Peppa at the Petting Farm Old MacDonald Had a Farm On the Farm Thank you, Farm! Mrs. Wishy Washy’s Farm Down on the Farm Amara’s Farm Pete the Cat: Old MacDonald Had a Farm Big Red Barn Farmyard Beat
More Farm Favorites
Here is my Privacy Policy
