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A small piece of playdough can become a snake, a cake, a road or something only your child can explain. With a few simple tools and time to experiment, it offers plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning.

Small movements, lots of practice

Pinching, rolling, pressing and squeezing give children practice using their hands in different ways. Offer a child-safe rolling pin or a large cutter, then let your child choose what to make. The activity does not need a finished product to be worthwhile.

Imagination and conversation

Pretend play can begin with a simple question: “What are you making?” Follow your child’s explanation. You might be invited to a pretend bakery or asked to help build a creature. Introduce words such as smooth, flat, long and squishy as they explore.

Early maths through play

  • Compare a long roll with a short one.
  • Make a group of pretend cakes and count them together.
  • Explore what happens when a ball is flattened.
  • Try sharing pieces between two people.

Keep these conversations light. Your child can return to making and experimenting without needing to give a correct answer.

A calm space to explore

Some children enjoy a quieter table activity; others prefer a different texture or type of play. Offer choice and follow your child’s interest. Playdough is an invitation to explore, not a treatment or a task every child must enjoy.

Setting up at home

Use a washable surface and a small selection of age-appropriate tools. Supervise play, check ingredients for allergies and keep playdough out of children’s mouths. Avoid small loose items for children who may mouth them. Store the dough as directed and replace it when needed.

Looking for another open-ended activity? Read our guide to simple learning provocations or explore activities at Little Learners Academy.

FAMILY STORIES

From our families,
with love.

A selection of five-star Google reviews from families at our Austral, Rossmore and Thirlmere centres.

Rated 4.8 starsfrom 200+ reviews across all platforms

I honestly couldn't be happier with Little Learners! The educators are incredibly kind, patient and genuinely care about the children. From day one, they made both us and our child feel so welcome, which made the transition into childcare much easier. It's clear that so much thought goes into the daily activities, and it's been amazing to see how much our child has grown in confidence and independence. The communication is fantastic, and I always feel informed and confident that my child is being well looked after. Thank you to the entire team for creating such a supportive and nurturing environment. I highly recommend this centre to any family looking for exceptional care.
Dairin NasiryAUSTRAL · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
We couldn’t be happier with Little Learners Academy in Rossmore. It is a beautiful centre that provides such a welcoming, safe, and nurturing environment for children. The educators are amazing - caring, supportive, and incredibly professional. Our children genuinely look forward to going each day and always come home smiling! Staff are great - friendly, dedicated, and genuinely invested in each child’s development.
Lauren KendallROSSMORE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google
We’ve had such a positive experience with Little Learners. The team is friendly, supportive, and always goes above and beyond to make the children feel comfortable and cared for. It’s so nice knowing our child is happy, having fun, and learning new things every day. We’re so grateful for everything they do and would definitely recommend the centre to other families.
Josephine bTHIRLMERE · GOOGLE REVIEWView on Google

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