Play-Doh is a staple in early childhood classrooms for creativity, learning, and fine motor development. But have you thought about creating Play-doh challenges for preschoolers? Play-Doh challenges for preschoolers can also be a great way to build teamwork and problem-solving skills. These Play-Doh challenges focus on basic skills, creativity, and fun and can be done with groups of 2 or more children. Try them out and let us know how they worked! (Fun Fact: National Play-Doh Day is September 16)
Play-Doh Shape Challenge
Children work together to create basic shapes (like circles, squares, and triangles) using Play-Doh. Either have shape flash cards, or just name a shape and let children work in pairs to make that shape out of Play-Doh.
Play-Doh Letter Challenge
Like the shape challenge, children work together to create letters using Play-Doh. Either have letter flash cards, or just name a letter and let children work in pairs to make that letter out of Play-Doh. An extra challenge can be to make both the capital and lower case letter.
Play-Doh Color Mixing Challenge
Give each group two primary colors of Play-Doh (e.g., red and yellow) and ask them to mix them together to see what new color they get. Encourage them to guess the result before they mix.
Play-Doh Pattern Challenge
Demonstrate a simple pattern (e.g., red ball, blue ball, red ball) and then ask each group of children to replicate it using Play-Doh. Start with easy patterns and increase complexity based on the children’s abilities.
Play-Doh Counting Challenge
Ask each group to make a certain number of objects, like five balls or three stars. Afterward, they can count them together as a group.
Play-Doh Animal Creation Challenge
Ask each group to create either an animal of their choice, like a snake, a fish, or a bird, or show a picture/name an animal. Then have each group make that animal using Play-Doh.
Play-Doh Food Creation Challenge
Similar to the animal challenge, ask each group to create either an food of their choice, like an apple, pizza, or grapes. You can also show a picture or or name a food. Then have each group make that food using Play-Doh.
Play-Doh Face Challenge
Provide each group with a basic face shape and ask them to add eyes, a nose, a mouth, and hair using Play-Doh. Encourage them to make different emotions (happy, sad, surprised, etc.).
Play-Doh Relay Race Challenge
In this high-energy challenge, children participate in a relay race where each team member has to complete a Play-Doh task before passing it to the next teammate. Tasks might include rolling a ball, creating a specific shape, or building a small sculpture.
Amazon Picks and Resources:
