Sensory Recipes

Children love to explore, and using open ended sensory materials are age old favorites. Soft, yielding and responsive to the child’s touch, these hands-on, moldable materials are fun to play with and support the development of small finger muscles and helps to build imagination. Chances are you may have all or most of the ingredients on hand in your kitchen to make these tried and true hands-on activities.

Play-Dough

Salt + Cornstarch Dough

Cloud Dough

Flubber

Getting Ready:

• Combine flour, salt & cream of tartar in the pot (use wire whisk or spoon)

• Combine water, oil food coloring in a measuring cup, or bowl. Pour into the pot

To Make:

• 1- Stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Don’t worry if the mixture looks like a blobby mess- it will turn into dough

• 2-When the mixture forms a ball, take it out and put it on a lightly floured surface. Squish it and gently punch it around a bit-this is called kneading. (Children can participate, but use caution as the dough will be hot at first.)

Play Suggestions:

• To play- provide tools and toys, (as mentioned) and/or pound, squish, poke, pull, flatten, etc.

• Color Mixing: make 2 batches-one each in a primary color (yellow + red=orange, blue + red=purple, blue + yellow=green)

• Add a drop of scent- (lemon, strawberry, vanilla extract)

  Let children make their own discoveries. Adults are advised not to lead the play-resist the temptation to make shapes for the child, or use it in ways they are not yet ready to. Mirror their play instead of leading the way. Self discoveries are much more meaningful to your child!

To Make:

• In a medium sized pot, combine the salt, the ⅔  cup water, and food coloring if desired

• Heat about 3-4 minutes, low to medium heat, stirring often

• Remove from heat

• Add cornstarch and ½ cup water

• Stir quickly together

• If the dough seems too thin- carefully heat and stir it a while longer

• Store in airtight container when not in use

Play Suggestions:

• For permanent pieces:

  • Glamorize! While dough is soft, firmly push beads, jewels or sequins into the sculpture

  • When dry, paint with acrylic-style paint or decorate with markers

  • To hang-when wet, poke a straw hole at the top. When dry, tie on a piece of ribbon

  • Use as gifts!

• Open ended exploration:

  • Create textures, using forks, hair combs, potato mashers, bottom of a plastic bottle, etc.

  • Use cookie cutters to create shapes

  • Provide small toys to hide, small trays for “serving”, and spreaders for cutting

To Make:

• Measure flour into a large plastic container or tub

• Gently stir together oil, food coloring, and essential oils (if using) into a small bowl or measuring cup

• Pour the oil into the center and mix together with your hands until it is evenly distributed, and the flour sticks together when squeezed

• Add more oil if needed, to achieve desired consistency

Play Suggestions:

• Make assorted colors

• Provide small containers of varying shapes and sizes, scoops, cookie cutters, etc., and let the fun begin!

• Store in an airtight container

• To catch the spills, especially when using indoors, place tub on an old bed sheet or tarp

• Provide a small, clean dustpan and broom for child to take care of the spills

To Make:

• Mix well into a large size bowl:

  • 2 teaspoons Borax

  • 1/2 cup warm water

• Mix well into a medium size bowl:

  • 3/4 cup warm water

  • 1 cup “Elmers”-type Glue

  • Food Coloring

• Pour the glue mixture into the Borax mixture

• Reach directly into the bowl to complete the mixing

Play Suggestions:

• Hang pieces off a table and watch it cascade into a bowl placed on the floor

• Pull it apart into small pieces. It will fill, and take the shape of, any container.