Boredom Buster: Make Your Own Playdough Monsters!

6.19.2012

Kids will love this fun, open-ended invitation to create playdough monsters with various materials such as googly eyes, pipe cleaners, sequins, and more!  It's the perfect boredom buster that moms & kids will both LOVE! What kind of monster will your child create?  Round up craft materials and build some playdough monsters with your toddlers and/or preschoolers today!! 


playdough monster

MAKE A MONSTER


We recently checked out several books authored by Mo Willems and decided to do an activity based on the book, "Leonardo the Terrible Monster."  


The book reminded me of the storyline of Monsters, Inc. in several ways; Leonardo was a monster who just couldn't scare anyone no matter how hard he tried.  One day he found the most "scaredy-cat" kid in the world and thought that he had made him cry, but to his dismay that wasn't the case.  Leonardo then made a decision to become a good friend, not a terrible monster.



 After reading the book, I set out various materials for a storytime craft.  We created our own monsters with Play doh!  Making play dough monsters was the perfect way to bring the book to life, however, playdoh monsters are fun to make any day of the week-- especially days when you are stuck inside for whatever reason.  

Have some fun PLAYING today by making your own playdoh monsters!!


Playdough Monsters



Supplies:

  • Play Dough
  • Various Manipulatives such as: feathers, beans, googly eyes, sequins, pipe cleaners, etc!


MAKE YOUR OWN PLAYDOH MONSTERS



YAY! for an activity that takes minutes to put together!  Go raid your craft closet and gather together your tubs of play doh.  Now, let the creative juices flow!

To keep the small manipulatives separate, put them in a round circular tray with various sections or keep them each in different bowls. 

I set out googly eyes, feathers, dried beans, and pipe cleaners.  However, the sky is the limit! 
Other options could be:

  • straws
  • sequins
  • Lego pieces (to use as stamps)
  • buttons
  • beads
  • string


Simply mold your play dough to create a body and then add various materials to create your monster!  This fun, open-ended invitation to create is fun for kiddos of all ages! 

Heck!  I even created a few playdough monsters!! How could I resist when my sweetie asks, "Mommy, will you make one, too?" 

This fun, creative playdough monster idea is just the solution when you are in need of a simple, yet fun boredom buster.  And bonus that it also is a great way to work on strengthening those fine motor skills-- just think of all the pinching, rolling, squishing, pushing involved in making these playdough monsters!!

Playdough Monster Creations


Here's a few of our playdough monsters:

Our first creation with a pig's tail-- isn't he scary?!

playdough monsters

 My scary creation!

play doh monsters

 T's brother and sister monsters!

make your own monsters

 Our Monsters on parade!  Just like Leonardo found out, monsters don't need to be scary!! 

make a monster with play doh

Although I have a love/hate relationship with play dough, I have got to say that I loved this activity!  I hate to say this about myself, but I have a hard time ''just playing.'' If it's not something in the house calling my name, it's the need to turn everything we do into an educational activity.... and for sure there is a time and place for that, but this activity was simply ALL ABOUT PLAY!

And it was SO MUCH FUN! 

BUT!! If you want to sneak in some learning, I totally understand!  You can practice counting googly eyes, talk about patterns and shapes, size, ETC. ETC.  And as I mentioned above, using small manipulatives and play doh are great for fine motor skills!  

Whether you want to play or want to learn, go make some playdough monsters!!


MORE FUN WITH PLAY DOH







            

Comments

  1. Love these! - especially the brother and sister monster! :)

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    1. The brother and sister are my favorites, too : )

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  2. We love the big eye monster. Well done!

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  3. Cute playdoh monsters!

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  4. What cute and fun playdoh monsters! Such a fun idea!! We love trying all kinds of fun ideas out with our play doh. Hope you have a great week!

    Nicole
    Mama Of Many Blessings

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    1. Thank you! We had a fun time making our creations : )

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  5. Oooh, I love this! What a fun idea! I'm going to feature it on my PreschoolPowolPackets Facebook page--thanks for sharing at Teach Me Tuesday!!

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  6. Stopping by from kids co-op. These are so cute! Have got to get out the googly eyes and pipe cleaners next time we play with play dough.

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    1. Yes, the googly eyes and pipe cleaners were so fun (though a bit of a pain to pick up!) : )

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  7. LOVE your monsters =-) You guys always have so much fun!! thanks for linking up to TGIF!! If you have a moment I'd love your vote in Circle of Moms Top 25 Homeschooling blogs (http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-Homeschooling-Moms-2012) - Thanks!!
    Beth
    www.livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com

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  8. I won't want to meet any of these in the dark of night. What a fun project!

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  9. Nice! I love these monsters and I also have been wanting to check out some Mo Willems books. Last time I was at the library, I didn't get a chance to find any as my little monster wouldn't let me, lol. Do you know of any that would be good for younger toddlers? Thanks for linking up to Thinky Linky Thursday!
    Lori @ Cachey Mama’s Classroom

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    1. I think "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus," "Knuffle-Bunny," and "Are You Ready to Go Outside" would be good for the young ones! The "Are You...." book is sort of like an early reader series, so check out other books with the pig and elephant. I think the little ones would enjoy those the best!

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  10. I love your "monsters" :) We love "Leonardo" and all of Mo Willems books around here too :)

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  11. So cute! Thank you for sharing this wonderful post with the Weekly Kid's Co-op.

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  12. We've done this before- so much fun! So many possibilities. New follower. :)

    Jen

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    1. You can find me blogging ideas to inspire creativity at Creative and Curious Kids! http;//raisingcreativeandcuriouskids.blogspot.com

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  13. Oh, how fun!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday and at the Summer Virtual Book Club for Kids!!

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  14. These are awesome! We love making different creatures with playdough. How fun!

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  15. This is a SERIOUSLY ADORABLE craft! I think my son (who is 4) would LOVE it! As I think most kids would love it no matter the age!

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  16. Love this activity! So glad you linked up with Cozy Book Hop!

    Marissa @ forfunreadinglist.blogspot.com

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