Digger Dirt: Construction-themed play dough tutorial

In this BLOG post I will share the recipe for our homemade digger dirt, as well as a free construction-themed alphabet printable.

Our recipe for digger dirt play dough is soft, squishy and so fun to play with! You can use it with plastic bugs, diggers, dinos or farm animals!

I created this recipe when my boys were 3 & 4. They wanted to make Dino fossils and I messed up the recipe! In an attempt to save the activity, I started adding ingredients and turned it into this dough. My oldest said, “that looks like dirt, let me grab my diggers!” And it’s been a favorite ever since.

Play dough provides so many opportunities for children to strengthen fine motor skills, enhance language and vocabulary and work on educational topics while they play!

It can be differentiated in SO many ways. Plus, if you make the recipe together, you get bonus points for quality time together, measuring, following a recipe and working on safety in the kitchen!

Sensory Play supports:

• Language development & vocabulary

• Cognitive growth

• Fine motor skills (small muscle movements)

• Gross motor skills (big movements)

• Problem-solving skills

• Communication

• Exploration of textures

• One's ability to make connections

• The concept of cause & effect

Materials:

• 1 cup flour

• 1 cup water

• 1/4 cup salt

• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1/4 cup coffee grounds (I toss in the used coffee grounds from my pot, it doesn't matter if it isn't exact!)

If you do not have coffee grounds, or you prefer not to use them, that's OK! You can substitute a few tablespoons of cinnamon or apple pie spice.

You can also eliminate seasoning all together and add 5 drops of brown food coloring to the water to make it look like dirt!

Step 1: Pour all ingredients into a pan.

Step 2: Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.

Step 3: When it forms a ball, remove from pan.

Step 4: After it cools, knead well and PLAY!

Step 5: Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months!

Storage:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

• It is normal to see salt crystalize on the dough. Knead it back in before use.

• If you see mold, throw away immediately.

Click HERE for our FREE phonics road cards. Perfect for tracing, building with dough, riding your car on top of or working on beginning sounds!