Help kids regulate their emotions and build fine motor skills with this no-cook Calm Down Dough recipe!
With school back in session, one of the greatest lessons we can teach our kids is how to regulate their emotions. That’s where the magic of “Calm Down Dough” comes into play.
Squeezing, rolling, and shaping play dough has a calming effect on kids – similar to the effect of using a stress ball! Besides helping reduce stress and anxiety, Calm Down Dough provides a creative outlet for emotions. Kids can shape the dough to represent different emotions, like happiness, anger, sadness, or excitement.
Playing with Calm Down Dough also encourages mindfulness and concentration. Children can focus on the sensory experience and repetitive actions, helping them stay present in the moment.
This simple DIY dough project fosters the development of fine motor skills, engages multiple senses – all while providing a soothing strategy to manage emotions.
So, let’s get ready to roll, shape, and calm! Here’s how we made this no-cook Calm Down Dough.
Supplies:
- 1 cup hair conditioner
- 1.5 cups cornstarch
- Medium bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Lavender seeds (optional, provides an extra sensory element)
- Lavender essential oil
Directions:
- Combine hair conditioner, cornstarch, and essential oil in a medium-sized bowl.
- Use a spatula to mix well. Then use your hands to knead the dough. If the mixture is too dry, add more conditioner. If the mixture is too wet, add more cornstarch.
- Sprinkle some lavender seeds into the dough and knead to spread throughout. This step is completely optional, but adds a fun sensory element.
- Play with your dough! When not in use, Calm Down Dough can be stored in an air-tight container for up to a month.
Looking for another homemade play dough recipe? Check out this recipe for oven bake clay. It uses supplies you probably already have in your pantry!
Needing another sculptural activity? Check out this free game for kids. The Clay Olympics is a collaborative art activity that will encourage working together as a team and will provide students with the opportunity to practice clay sculpting techniques.
Happy creating, friends!