Woodsy PlayLand…With Pine-Scented Play Dough

By arleegreenwood

“There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.”  ~Washington Irving

Here at Small Potatoes in the last few months, we have become addicted to play dough. The smalls can’t seem to get enough of it. This is a good thing. Play dough is so versatile! It can be used in so many different play settings, in various colours, with more assorted tools and toys than you can think of, and lastly, in a plethora of yummy scents! It is a tactile activity that hones the small motor skills, exercises eye-hand coordination, sharpens the olfactory system, and delights the imagination.

Today I set up a little play dough woodland for the smalls while they were eating their lunch. Oh, they were excited when they saw it! It didn’t take much, just a few things gathered from the Christmas bin and toy cupboards…

I made our favourite play dough recipe, coloured it with a LOT of green food colouring so it would be nice a vibrant, and I added evergreen essential oil to the dough while it cooked…

I set the play dough woodland up on the table and let the smalls do as they please with the landscape…They arranged trees and animals and played together the entire afternoon…They made animal paw prints in their play dough…They even tried to match up which animal made which print…Pine cones were filled up with the yummy, pine scented play dough…They were even used to make prints on the forest floor…As the afternoon passed, there were caves built…Cougar trails made…And mountains climbed…Oh, and the wolves. Well, they howled. And howled…The sun was setting on the day, and the smalls still didn’t want to come in from the woods…And my playroom smelled of forest. It was a perfect way to spend a long, cold afternoon.

To store our play dough play sets, I use am inexpensive airtight container big enough to hold all the supplies. These containers are stackable and fit easily on play shelves.This way, the children can reach it whenever they have a hankering to play in the woods…They also make lovely Christmas/birthday gifts for the little ones in your life.

Thanks for stopping by,

Arlee, Small Potatoes

24 thoughts on “Woodsy PlayLand…With Pine-Scented Play Dough”

  5. I’m really into unstructured play with my kids, and I love the way that this sort of activity is so open ended – but relevant for the holiday season. Who doesn’t love the scent of pine? Mmm. 🙂

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  11. What a delightful little Playland! We are completely addicted to play dough here too! I’ve made play dough with the woods as inspiration too. We call it “Forest floor play dough”. It’s brown and I add rosemary to look like little pine needles. This post has me itching to make a new batch as it’s been awhile. I need some of the cute little trees and animals that you have though!
    Thanks Arlee for sharing your wonderful ideas with us!

  12. Superb. I just love it. My kids are a bit older, but I suspect they would really have a ball with this as well. Super that they found so many ways to interact with it – love to watch that when it happens. Thanks!

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