Salt Dough Shapes

What you need

• two cups of plain flour
• one cup of salt
• about three quarters of a cup of water
• a big bowl and a spoon
• cookie cutters in a few shapes
• a tray to work on

How to do it

1. Let your child tip the flour and salt into the bowl, counting the cups, and stir them together.
2. Add the water a little at a time while they mix, then squash it into a ball with their hands. Add a sprinkle of flour if it's sticky.
3. Pat it flat on the tray and press the cutters in. Name each shape as it comes out: a circle, a star, a heart.
4. Count the shapes and line them up, then squash them back together and cut some more.

Why it matters

Making the dough from scratch is measuring and mixing, and the shapes they cut give them something to name, count and sort.

What they're learning

Strong hands

Kneading and squashing a stiff dough works fingers and wrists.

Shape names

Circle, square, star: said as each one comes out.

Measuring

A cup of this and two of that, tipped in by them.

What to look for

Notice them choosing a cutter by its shape name when you ask for one, like "the triangle".

A tip

Salt dough is very salty, so it's for playing, not tasting. Keep it on the tray and wash hands after.

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