Sawdust Play Dough

I probably would have never even tried this had a tree not been cut down in my back yard a few days ago. When I saw the piles of sawdust, being the resourceful mom that I TRY to be, I just knew I could probably put it to use SOMEHOW. Sure enough, there are recipes for Sawdust Play dough on the internet, and quite a few ways to make it.

Sawdust Play Dough

•1 cup clean, well-sifted sawdust

•1/2 cp flour

•1 TBS liquid starch

•1 cup water

Mix together in bowl until a stiff dough is formed, adding extra water if dough is too dry. Allow sawdust play dough to dry for 2-3 days in the sun. ( use sandpaper to smooth after its completely dry)--optional).

This really does feel and roll out like real dough, except that it has a more sensory quality because of the sawdust, which L seemed to really enjoy. I let L play with it for a while then we rolled it out with a rolling pin and cut out a few shapes with cookie cutters. I then let them dry in the sun for a few days (they get rock hard), turning over every so often, and then let Lpaint them. The only mistake I made was not making a hole in them before they dried so I could make ornaments out of them. I will be gluing ribbon on instead.

Great for making paperweights, beads and tree ornaments.

Finished pieces can be painted or stained with food coloring and water.

L's Experience with Sawdust Play Dough

So, if you are able to get your hands on some sawdust (maybe try a lumber yard or saw mill), this is a fun and easy project. 

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Clean Mud

Another rainy day called for a fun indoor art activity! Here's a wonderful Oooey Gooey Play Recipe that was so simple, and L just LOVED this stuff. It's called Clean Mud, and it combines a child's love for unrolling the toilet paper roll and then mushing it into some great stuff!

Materials

Cheese Grater

1 bar of Ivory soap
2-3 Rolls of Toilet Paper
1/3 C of Borax
Warm Water
Large container or bowl
Optional: Spoons,Cups,Mashers, Scooper



What You Do

Let your child unroll the toilet paper rolls while you grate 1 bar of soap using cheese grater
Add remaining ingredients and put all materials into a large container or bowl
Add enough warm water to saturate the mixture



What THEY Do
Let them mix it using their bare hands and other child friendly tools to explore

The mixture is pretty mushy at first (which is fun too!), but when most of the water is soaked up, it becomes more moldable, almost resembling something like lumpy mashed potato playdough. I doubled the mixture which seemed like just the right amount!

Half of the fun for L was unrolling the toilet paper!

All the ingredients before adding water

And the fun begins

I couldn't resist the mushy stuff  (plus it smelled so clean and fresh too!)

After most of the water is absorbed, you can start somewhat molding it like playdough.

This project was really simple, and provided some good CLEAN fun for L (and me!)

Warning

Borax can be harmful if ingested. 

Please use parental discretion based on your child's age and developmental abilities.

and as with any sensory bin containing anything not edible, or containing small pieces...be present and ever vigilant in watching your child! Choose activities using parental discrestion based on your child's age and developmental abilities. 

If you liked this activity, you may also enjoy...

Fluffy Stuff

Cloud Dough

Goop

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