Playdough Sensory Play in a Tuff Tray
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Playdough is one of the most powerful tools for sensory play, especially when used in a Tuff tray by Learning Through PLAYtrays. Playdough can be made at home with just a few simple ingredients, and it is often better than any toy because it is open-ended. Children squeeze, roll, cut, and create, building fine motor skills, creativity, and calm focus.
Why Playdough Is Better Than Most Toys
Playdough can be made at home using just a few simple ingredients, yet it offers more learning value than many store-bought toys. The reason is simple. Playdough is open-ended. There is no right or wrong way to use it.
Unlike toys that have one purpose or one expected outcome, playdough invites children to explore freely. A child can roll it, squash it, pinch it, cut it, build with it, or take it apart and start again. This type of play supports imagination, problem-solving, and independent thinking.
When children use playdough in a Tuff tray, the play becomes more focused and contained. The tray creates a clear play space, reduces distractions, and allows children to fully engage with the sensory experience. This is especially helpful in early years classrooms and home learning environments.
Sensory Benefits of Playdough
Playdough engages the sense of touch through pressure, texture, and resistance. Children naturally strengthen their hand muscles as they squeeze and manipulate the dough, which supports fine motor development and prepares them for skills like writing, cutting, and buttoning.
Sensory play with playdough can also have a calming effect. The repetitive actions of rolling and pressing can help children regulate emotions and reduce stress. This is why playdough is often used as a calming activity during transitions or quiet play times.
DIY Playdough Recipe
Basic Playdough Recipe:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons oil
1 to 1.5 cups warm water
Food coloring (optional)
Mix the dry ingredients first, then slowly add water and oil until a soft dough forms. Knead until smooth. You can adjust the texture by adding more flour or water as needed.
✔One of the biggest benefits of playdough is how easy it is to make at home or in the classroom. Homemade playdough is affordable, customizable, and often lasts longer than store-bought versions.
✔Making playdough together can also be part of the learning experience. Children can help measure, pour, and mix, building early math and life skills.
Supporting Communication Through Playdough
Playdough is not just about fine motor skills and creativity. It can also be a powerful tool for supporting communication.
At Learning Through PLAYtrays, co-founder Kamilla, an Early Years Educator, developed a playdough core board specifically to support communication during sensory play.
A core board is a visual communication tool that displays high-frequency words that children can use across many activities. These words might include actions, requests, and simple descriptors. Core boards support children who are emerging communicators, non-speaking, or learning to expand language.
Why Use a CORE Board?
Core boards give children a VOICE.
Visual AAC supports help children process and understand language more easily. Many children benefit from seeing words paired with images, especially during play. Visuals reduce frustration and give children a way to express themselves when spoken language is still developing.
When a core board is used alongside playdough, children can point to words to request tools, describe actions, or share ideas. This makes play more inclusive and supports meaningful communication.
An effective core board focuses on words that can be used in many situations, not just during playdough activities. Words like “more,” “help,” “roll,” “cut,” and “stop” allow children to communicate needs and intentions.
Find the Playdough Core Board on TPT
The play dough core board created by Learning Through PLAYtrays is available on Teachers Pay Teachers. It is designed for educators and parents who want to support communication during sensory play in a simple and effective way.
Tuff Tray = Screen-Free Play
Playdough may look simple, but its impact on early development is powerful. Sometimes the best learning tools are the simplest ones. Playdough proves that meaningful play does not need batteries, instructions, or screens, just space, time, and the freedom to explore.
Happy playing!
Founded by an Early Years Educator, Learning Through PLAYtrays is a small business dedicated to designing high-quality Tuff trays and resources that support sensory play, communication, and early development.
Questions? Kamilla@playtraylearning.com