How to make Child-safe Play Dough/Clay at Home?

Playdough builds strength in your child's hands. Rolling, squishing, molding, breaking, flattening and the rest help to develop muscles that are used for fine motor movements. These muscles are very important for future skills such as holding a pencil and using scissors.

Around 15-18 months, your little one can be ready for play dough! Playdough offers more than just fun, sensory play. It builds fine motor skills and hand/finger strength. As your toddler gets older, they will start to use the dough in imaginary play – making balls, pretend food, people, and more.

But Unfortunately, playdough or clays available in markets are very toxic for our younger children, and if your child is too young to understand what is edible and what is not. Or if your child has a habit of eating everything she plays with, You should shift to non-toxic play-dough at home immediately

Creating home-made playdough for infants requires non-toxic and edible ingredients. Here's a simple recipe for making non-toxic playdough suitable for infants:

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
• Gradually add the water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients.
• Mix everything together until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If it's too dry, add a small amount of water.
• If desired, divide the dough into smaller portions to create different colors. Add a few drops of natural food coloring to each portion and knead until the color is evenly distributed. You can also add a drop or two of natural flavoring extracts to enhance the sensory experience for your child.
• Once the dough is ready, it's safe for infants to explore and play with. Ensure they are closely supervised during playtime.

Homemade playdough lasts for up to 3 months. If you keep it stored properly, it will stay soft and fresh for up to 3 months.

Please note that while this homemade playdough recipe is made from edible ingredients, it's still essential to monitor infants during play to prevent them from consuming large quantities of the dough, as it contains salt.

Also, some infants may have sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients, so it's important to consider your child's individual needs and consult with a pediatrician if you have any concerns.

Recommended reading: How to develop Fine motor skills activities of Preschoolers?

LOVE AND SUPPORT ALWAYS....!!