Easy Playdough Creatures & Critters You Can Make In Minutes

by

I love this activity because it’s easy to set-up and it’s really fun for all ages. As a bonus, kids get to practice language and math skills while exercising their creativity. To get started, grab a tub of playdough, a pair of googly eyes, and 2-3 pipe cleaners. Cut the pipe cleaners into short segments and you’re ready to begin.

*Mama to mama…I keep all the materials for this in a small container so it’s ready to use at a moment’s notice. It’s a great tool to redirect my little one’s meltdowns. I’ve even used it to entertain her while I throw dinner together.

Learning ideas for little ones

Attention/Memory

  • Look at two steps and discuss what’s different (what changed between picture 2 and picture 3?).
  • Look at a picture, then take it away. What details can your little one remember?

Language

  • Explain the steps, then ask your little one to tell you the steps. Use the pictures to help with this as needed.
  • Let your little one make a creature, then ask them how they did it.
  • Ask your little one to make a new creature and explain why they chose that creature.
  • Name your creature, then ask your little one to give their creature a name. See if you can create a story with your characters.
  • Practice directional prepositions (above, under, behind, between, etc.).

Math/Science

  • Compare materials and discuss properties such as texture, soft/hard, light/heavy, etc.
  • Count steps, pieces of pipe cleaner, eyes, legs, chunks, etc.
  • Discuss what animals you’re making and details about them (Where do they live? What do they eat? How big are they?).
  • Discuss relative sizes including small, medium, and large.

Learning ideas for older kids

Attention/Memory

  • Ask your kid to memorize the steps to making one of the creatures, then hide the pictures and let them try it.
  • Give your kid the steps to two creatures and ask them to identify similarities/differences in the steps.

Language

  • Retell the steps to make one of the creatures.
  • Create a fictional story about one of the critters or write a factual piece about it.
  • Compare/contrast the process of making two different creatures (verbally or written).
  • Describe one of the creatures in great detail (colors, sizes, textures, smell, flaws, features, etc.).
  • Choose two creatures to sculpt, then create an interaction (factual or fiction) between them.

Math/Science

  • Describe the properties of each of the materials (weight, density, flexibility, etc.).
  • Work in math equations (Can you put 7-2 stripes on the tail of the fish or 3×4 squares on the turtle’s back?)
  • Discuss the habitat of each animal and how they’re related in their ecosystems or food chains.
  • Discuss the animal’s classification (reptile, insect, mammal, etc.) and attributes.
Click Here for Printer Friendly DirectionsDownload

Turtle

1. Start with a tub of dough, two eyes, and a popsicle stick (optional).


4. Assemble the head, body, and legs.
2. Split the dough into one large chunk, one medium chunk, and four small chunks.
5. Draw the shapes on the turtle’s back.
3. Form the large chunk into a dome, the medium chunk into a ball with a tail, and the smaller chunks into wide “snakes.”
6. Place the eyes on the turtle’s head and carve a smile.

Snail

1. Start with a tub of dough, two eyes, and two pipe cleaner pieces.
4. Gently press the “snake” flat.
2. Split the dough into a large chunk and a small chunk.
5. Roll the flat strip leaving a small bit at the end.
7. Roll the pipe cleaners into circles at their ends. Then, add the eyes and pipe cleaner antennas.
3. Roll the small chunk into a ball and the large chunk into a “snake.”
6. Put the ball on top of the bit that sticks out.

Fish

1. Start with a tub of dough, one eye, and a popsicle stick.
4. Push the tail and the body together. Then, press the stick into the tail to make the lines on it.
2. Split the dough into a large chunk and a small chunk.



5. Add the eye and use the stick to make the fin.
3. Flatten both chunks. Shape the large chunk into a football (body) and the small chunk into a triangle (tail).

Caterpillar

1. Start with a tub of dough, six pipe cleaner pieces, and two eyes.
3. Roll the five chunks into balls and press them together in a line.
2. Split the dough into five chunks.
4. Insert one leg into the right and left side of each middle ball. Finally, press the eyes onto the head.

Octopus

1. Start with a tub of dough and two eyes.
4. Arrange the eight “snakes” into squiggles with one end touching the others in the center.
2. Break the dough into eight small chunks and one medium chunk.
5. Put the head in the middle and gently press it into place.
3. Roll the eight small chunks into “snakes.” Form the medium chunk into a ball sitting on a wide base. Put the eyes on the ball.

Mouse

1. Start with one tub of dough, four pipe cleaner pieces, and two eyes. v”
4. Bend two pipe cleaners into “V” shapes and twist the other two together to make a long tail.
2. Split the dough into one large chunk, two medium chunks, and one tiny chunk.
5. Press the points of the V’s into the narrow end of the egg and press the tail into the wide end of the egg.
7. Add the eyes between the ears and above the nose.
3. Form the large chunk into an egg and roll the tiny chunk into a ball. Press the medium chunks into flat circles.
6. Press the tiny ball between the pipe cleaner whiskers and place one ear behind each of them.

Alligator

1. Start with one tub of dough and two eyes.
4. Roll the four small chunks into ovals.
2. Split the dough into one large chunk and four small chunks.
5. Use a stick or finger to open the mouth by cutting into it.
3. Shape the large chunk into a long football shape with a narrow tail and wider mouth.
6. Press the legs onto the body and eyes onto the head.