Play dough art
A creative twist on play dough play that turns paper into a storytelling canvas
This activity combines the hands-on fun of play dough with creative prompts to inspire storytelling and imagination.
Instead of just shaping blobs, your child uses the dough to complete or decorate simple pictures - like adding sprinkles to a cupcake, giving a monster wild features, or dressing someone up for a costume party. You can also use numbers, letters or words if you want to throw some play-based learning in.
It’s open-ended, great for fine motor development, and works especially well for kids (or grown-ups) who enjoy drawing or pretend play.
You can draw your own simple outlines on paper (think cupcakes, faces, party hats, empty scenes) or print off our - a downloadable printable with 10 ready-to-use templates. Just pop them in a plastic sleeve to reuse again and again.
Bonus? It’s a brilliant activity to take on the go. Store a small batch of play dough in a reusable container, pack a few mats or papers, and you’ve got a quiet, mess-contained play option for restaurants, car rides or even planes.
Perfect for days when you want a low-mess, high-engagement creative play option.
Materials
Prep / make
Step 1:
Draw simple outlines on paper (e.g. a cupcake, monster, person, tree) or print and prepare the .
Step 2:
Set out dough and a tray or mat for play.
Play
Invite your child to add to the pictures using the play dough - decorating, building, or creating characters.
Extend
Story time: After decorating, ask your child to tell you a story about what they’ve made.
Mixed media: Let them colour in or draw extra details with crayons or markers alongside the dough.
Add accessories: Include googly eyes, buttons or toothpicks to bring creations to life (with supervision).
