This week I put out some apple-spice playdough in the classroom. I used my favorite homemade playdough recipe and added a BUNCH of apple pie spice, and extra cinnamon and nutmeg. I also added red food coloring. CLICK HERE for the basic playdough recipe.
The photo below shows how I set this up. I always set playdough up as a stationary table so the students don't carry it back and forth from a shelf to a table like they would other work. Before doing the playdough, I teach the children that they must get a pump of hand sanitizer and rub it into their hands. You can see it on the left below. The orange-lidded container holds the lump of dough. I added a little wooden bowl with teeny tiny pieces of twigs to use for stems. I also found some little teeny leaves on some silk flowers that I had. I added those to the bowl with the stems. The apple basket holds the rolling pin and an apple cookie cutter.
Rolling pin (a wooden dowel cut to 6 inches long and coated with polyurethane) and the apple cookie cutter
Little bowl of twig stems and leaves
I show the children how they can roll the playdough into little balls to make apples. Working with playdough is great for developing fine motor skills. The children are always allowed to use the playdough as they wish, but I like to add different materials to help them explore it in new ways. I think these little apples are SOOOOOOOOO cute! Do you?
Thanks for including me, Deb. The post looksgreat!
To: directress@live.com
Posted by: Laura | September 27, 2010 at 09:34 PM
I LOVE this! Thanks for giving me permission to use your photos! I featured your playdough table and apple playdough at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2010/09/27/activity-of-the-week-playdough-table-and-apple-playdough/
Posted by: Deb Chitwood @ Living Montessori Now | September 27, 2010 at 04:33 PM
That would be a great idea.Be sure to let me know if you try it and how it turns out!
Laura
To: directress@live.com
Posted by: Laura | September 25, 2010 at 10:24 AM
I love those sweet little fingers putting thestem in the apple. Sosweet! Thanks for sharing!
Laura
To: directress@live.com
Posted by: Laura | September 24, 2010 at 09:43 PM
Hi Laura, just to let you know that I did this with my 2 1/2 year old daughter and she loved it! You can see her attempt at http://joyfulmamasplace.blogspot.com/2010/09/play-dough-apples.html. Thanks so much for the inspiration - we had a ton of fun!
Posted by: Joyful Mama | September 22, 2010 at 08:30 AM
I haven't tried it myself yet (although I intend to soon), but I've read that you can bake homemade play dough to harden it nicely. Wouldn't that be super-cute to do with those super-wonderful apples!
Posted by: Pumpkinbear | September 19, 2010 at 08:56 AM
You are great and the apple of his eye! I truly go to your blog everyday! Thanyou!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Miss Balue | September 10, 2010 at 07:52 AM
i do!
Posted by: jamie | September 09, 2010 at 09:04 PM
Thank you! The kids are LOVING this work.
To: directress@live.com
Posted by: Laura | September 09, 2010 at 08:08 PM
Oh they are adorable!!
Posted by: Our Country Road | September 09, 2010 at 07:02 PM
Thanks for writing, Stephanie! Im glad you like the idea. I love those little apples too.
To: directress@live.com
Posted by: Laura | September 09, 2010 at 04:52 PM
I don't think I've ever commented on your blog before, but these play dough apples are SO cute, I had to tell you! Your blog is so full of great ideas, but I have a thing for fall and apple picking, and so this fun and simple craft really speaks to me. I am definitely going to do this with my kids!
Stephanie xx
Posted by: Sunshine Mama | September 09, 2010 at 10:51 AM