Is there any better time to do a Playdough Monsters counting activity than right before Halloween? Preschoolers and toddlers will love playing with playdough to create their own monsters. This activity is quite simple as it's just playdough with a few decorating supplies, but its great for working on counting and fine motor skills. Follow the step by step directions below to get started making your very own playdough monsters!
Looking for more playdough recipes? We have loads for you to browse through! If you are looking for more playdough activities be sure to try out this playdough faces activity.
Related: Monster crafts for kids
Playdough monsters is one of those perfect sensory play ideas because of all the benefits toddlers and preschoolers get while they play. They'll be focused on all the cool monsters they're creating while you know how much they are learning and exploring.
With this playdough monsters counting activity, they'll be engaging in sensory play, practicing listening skills as they follow your direction, practicing math as they count and identify numbers, and not to mention practicing those fine motor skills!
More playdough counting activities:
Scroll down below to get started on this fun playdough monsters sensory activity!
Older toddlers and preschoolers who love monsters might also like our monster art project where they can learn about mixing colors for kids.
Playdough Monsters Counting Activity
Playdough monster supplies:
- Playdough of choice
- Googly eyes
- Coloured match sticks
How to make playdough monsters
STEP ONE: Gather up your supplies
Before you get started, make sure you have all your supplies laid out. You can find 25+ different playdough recipes here so take your pick! (or of course store bought playdough works well too)
STEP TWO: Prepare playdough
To get started, ball up your playdough and then SMASH IT! into a monster shape. (Your toddler or preschooler will love this part!) You'll want to do this a few times to give them several monsters to play with.
Another idea would be to use a playdough cutting tools to make different shapes or to stack different playdough on top of each other, etc. Play around with it and see what you can come up with!
STEP THREE: Add monster faces
Next, give your toddler or preschooler a selection of googly eyes and invite them to add them to the playdough by pushing them into the playdough.
Then, invite them to do the same with match sticks. They can add them to the face or stick them to the sides to create arms and legs. See what they decide to do!
PS: You can also try adding other supplies such as twisting pipe cleaners. I love putting out a variety of supplies and see what they are drawn to use. You can count pretty much anything!
STEP FOUR: Count them up
Now it's time to count! You can also count as you are adding googly eyes and match sticks instead of waiting until the end. Or why not do both for extra counting practice!
STEP FIVE: Try other ways to play
The great thing about this activity is how versatile it is! You can also try:
- Directed play: Try asking them to place x number of googly eyes on their monster (ie "Can you add 3 eyes to your monster?")
- Numbered cards: Write numbers on index cards and place a different one next to each monster (ie "What number is on this card? Can you add them to your monster?")
- Simple math: For older children, you may try doing basic math with them (ie "How many eyes are on this monster? How many are on that monster? How many eyes is that altogether?")
See what different things you can come up with for your playdough monsters! There are so many options.
This counting playdough monsters activity is sure to be a hit with your child. No matter if they are new to numbers, can count, or are working on basic math, they are sure to benefit from an activity like this one. Preschoolers and toddlers will have so much fun with this playdough monster counting activity and it is perfect to do in the run up to Halloween.
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