More Than Just Play Dough: A Sensory Experience for Curious Minds

At Discover My World, play dough isn’t just a rainy-day activity. Play dough is a rich, open-ended resource that supports learning, creativity, regulation and connection across all age groups. Whether it's our tiniest Explorers or our confident Preschoolers, you’ll always find play dough somewhere in the room; and it’s there for good reason.

It’s soft. It’s calming. It’s engaging. And it offers so much more than meets the eye.

Why Play Dough Matters

Developmental Benefits

Play dough offers a powerful mix of learning and development opportunities, all disguised as fun.

Fine Motor Skills

All the squeezing, squashing, rolling and pinching help to build strength in growing hands and fingers; skills children will later need for writing, drawing, cutting and self-help tasks.

Creativity and Imagination

Play dough is open-ended and unstructured, which means there’s no right or wrong way to use it. Children are free to create, explore and express ideas in their own way.

Language and Communication

As children make and mould, conversations flow. They describe their ideas, negotiate with peers and build vocabulary through natural, meaningful interactions.

Maths and Science Foundations

Comparing sizes, measuring ingredients, recognising patterns and predicting changes in texture or temperature, play dough introduces early concepts in a hands-on, relatable way.

Our favourite play dough additions

• Loose Parts

• Pinecones

• Shells

• Scissors

• Cookie Cutters

• Muffin trays

• Garlic Crusher

• Measuring cups

• Chopping boards

A Sensory Experience in Every Squish

Beyond the developmental benefits, play dough is a powerful sensory tool that helps children regulate, focus and explore the world around them.

Tactile Exploration

Each play dough experience can feel completely different depending on what’s added; soft, gritty, textured, warm, cold. Children learn through touch, and this is touch at its most versatile.

Proprioceptive Development

Using tools like rolling pins and cookie cutters helps children understand their own body in space, build coordination and develop a sense of control over their movements.

Emotional Regulation

Play dough can have the same effect as a stress ball; soothing and grounding. The repetitive actions are calming, especially after a big transition or an emotionally charged moment.

Hand Strength and Endurance

Play dough play naturally strengthens the muscles in the hands, wrists and arms. By adjusting the firmness of the dough, we can gently challenge and support children’s physical development.

Adding Layers: Herbs, Spices and Oils

At DMW, we love enhancing our play dough with simple, natural ingredients that elevate the sensory experience even further. These additions turn everyday dough into something truly special.

Herbs and Spices

Dried rosemary, lavender, cinnamon, turmeric and mint bring texture, scent and colour to the dough. They also open the door to rich conversations around culture, nature and cooking.

Essential Oils

A drop of lavender oil for calm, peppermint for energy, lemon for focus. These subtle scents can help regulate mood and create a purposeful sensory experience.

Loose Parts and Natural Tools

We pair our dough with items like pinecones, shells, rolling pins, scissors, garlic presses and cookie cutters. These elements add depth, pattern and imaginative possibilities to every session.

Our DMW Play Dough Recipe

Want to try it at home? Here’s our go-to recipe, it’s quick, it's easy and it's a guaranteed hit.

Ingredients

4 cups plain flour

1/4 cup table salt

1/2 cup cream of tartar

1/4 cup coconut oil

1.5 cups boiling water

Natural food colouring (optional)

Herbs, spices or essential oils of your choice

Method

1. In a large bowl, dissolve salt in boiling water.

2. Add coconut oil, cream of tartar and food colouring if using. Stir to combine.

3. Slowly add flour, half a cup at a time, mixing until you reach a smooth consistency.

4. Knead the dough until cool to the touch.

5. Store in an airtight container or wrap in cling wrap. Keeps for up to 4 weeks in the fridge.

Tip: Divide your dough and add different scents, herbs or colours to create a collection of sensory play options.

It’s Not Just Dough ... It’s Discovery

At Discover My World, play dough is more than an activity. It’s a daily invitation to create, to connect, to explore and to regulate. With the right additions and support, it becomes a meaningful tool for growth and a whole lot of fun too.