Moon Dough is one of our favourite substances for some simple sensory play. The texture is so soft and the way the dough behaves is pretty different to play dough so it adds some nice variety. Because it can make a lot of mess when it crumbles up, I feel more relaxed when giving it to the kids in the garden rather than in doors. With the sunny weather lately, we’ve had so many chances to get busy with the messy activities out doors.
I set out some balls of differently coloured moon dough for Mr R along with a variety of sequins, feathers, beads and crafty bits and pieces and let him explore however he wanted. He decided to organise them by colour and set about colour matching the feathers and beads into the closest colour of moon dough.
He is enjoying learning about colours at the moment, and because our doughs were in a variety of colours not just the basic primary colours he had to think about where to put some of the items e.g blue can go with purple, red can go with orange. We also had different shades of the same colours and lots of different textures.
This activity kept him occupied for quite a while, which is great for an activity that’s so simple and easy to set up.
Mr R moved on to making cakes out of his moon dough, rolling his own little balls and placing them into the cake cases, then decorating them with the small loose parts that had been provided.
Of course his perfectly colour matched balls could not last forever. Squishing moon dough is just too tempting!
He loved to feel it crumble up in his hands and then squash it back together. I have to admit, I love this too! Moon dough is a really relaxing texture to play with.
Then he started mixing a few
When Mr Z & Mr T got home from school they mixed all the colours completely, then kept themselves busy with making “food” out of the moon dough. Their play leans more towards the mathematical topics like counting and sorting the “burgers” that they made. We also had fun hiding stones and rocks in the moon dough to feel the differences by weight.
We use (Affiliate) ready made moon dough but you can also make your own if you prefer. The coloured dough you see here in the post is from the moon dough super value pack, and the colours are really nice and bright. If you are making your own, then Happy Hooligans have a tutorial on How to Colour Cloud Dough which seems to be pretty much the same thing as moon dough!
Ready made Moon Dough is available very cheaply from Amazon or The Entertainer (maybe elsewhere too but these are the places I buy ours!)
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What are your favourite types of sensory dough? Share your ideas with me in the comments
Great art and sensory activity!
Erica Loop recently posted…Frozen Chalk Finger Painting
I do love moon dough so much, it has an amazing texture – and it really is no mess, it just vaccuums or sweeps away. And it’s cheap – so it’s not upsetting to let them mix it all up or lose it in the garden 🙂
Jenny @ The Brick Castle recently posted…Putting a bit of excitement into your picnic with Roberts Bakery
We used to play with Moon Dough a lot, but as it flaked off and bits ended up in the carpet, I didn’t like it as much.
spicers1976 recently posted…My Sunday Photo – Birthday Balloon
Great idea and it looks like all of your boys had fun. I won’t let mine play with Moon Dough anywhere carpeted but it is nice to play with!
Very clever idea. Bet they loved it.
Jackie Allum recently posted…My 2 Secret Weapons – But Do My Feet Look Big In These? Yes They Do!
Great ideas. I’ve never been brave enough to try moon dough at home, as we’ve played with it at twins club and it makes such a mrs, but I must admit it does have a nice texture.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Karen Bell recently posted…Let kids be kids linky 10/6/14
That is such a creative and wonderful idea. I love that all of the fun colored objects can be stuck right in the moon dough of the same color. I am pinning this to my Preschool Fun board!
Theresa (Capri + 3) recently posted…Special Guest Post: Free Printable Father’s Day Craft
I can do this. Let him play outside esp now that its sunny =) We might do our own dough and play and learn too! #Letkidsbekids
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…The Gallery – Details
Not tried moondough with my toddler yet, will have to have a go…
Nicola recently posted…Bubble Wrap Shape Printing
Looks like great fun. We didn’t use moon dough when mine were little as it wasn’t around. They loved play dough though. I can’t say I was find of clearing up the bits either.
Nicola Young recently posted…City Breaks with the Kids – Rome
I haven’t done moon dough either I must give it go soon #letkidsbekids
Loving life with little ones recently posted…Fun on a ferry crossing.
Moon dough sounds amazing. I have never heard of it before but we do like a good play with playdoh in our house. Other mommy doesn’t like cleaning it up too much. lol This is great though and looks like the kids had a fabulous time. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
Jenny recently posted…Missy Moo’s Milestones: 11 months
Love all the bright colors 🙂 Both my kids would enjoy this!
Amanda @artsy_momma recently posted…Beat the Heat this Summer with Insta-Snow
Silly of me, but I had no idea moon dough could be store bought. We’ve always made it ourselves …. that’s part of the fun!
Thanks for linking up with The Thoughtful Spot!
Love the colours of the dough
The Fairy & The Frog (@frog_fairy) recently posted…Parenting Pin it Party
I love the look of this activity but I hate it when they mix the colours! I know it’s silly but it drives me mad.
Pippa Ainsworth recently posted…What’s Happened? What’s Happening? – Circus, Sea Life and Celebration!
We haven’t played with moon dough for ages but it is something my son has always loved. Will have to get some and try this out with my daughter! Thanks for sharing with #Playtime