17 Playdough Crafts and Printables for Kids

These easy playdough crafts give kids plenty of ways to create without needing a complicated setup. You will also find printable playdough mats and homemade dough recipes if you want a little more direction. Use whichever spelling you prefer: Play-Doh, play dough, or playdough.

Wondering what to make with playdough today? Start with a ball, a snake, or a flat pancake of dough, and you already have the beginning of a flower, animal, pretend snack, or colorful scene. The fun is in making something with your hands

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Easy Things to Make With Playdough

Hand your child a few colors of dough and try one of these simple creations:

A caterpillar: Roll several small balls and press them together in a row. Add eyes to the first ball.
A flower: Make a small ball for the center, flatten a few more balls into petals, and roll a long piece for the stem.
A snail: Roll one long piece of dough into a spiral shell. Add a second piece for the body.
A pretend pizza: Flatten a circle of dough and add tiny pieces in different colors for toppings.
An ice cream cone: Roll a ball for the scoop and shape another piece into a cone.
A rainbow: Roll several long, thin pieces and curve them into arches.
A face: Flatten a circle, then add eyes, a nose, a mouth, and hair.
A little house: Stack simple shapes to make walls, a roof, a door, and windows.
A dinosaur: Start with a large body, then add a head, tail, legs, and back spikes.
A garden: Make flowers, leaves, bugs, and vegetables on a tray.

These are easy playdough ideas for preschoolers, but older children can add more details or build an entire scene. If a figure will not stand up, let your child flatten it into a picture instead.

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Playdough Crafts and Projects to Try

When kids are ready for a project with more steps, these activities give them a place to start.

Make a Playdough Volcano

Build a mountain shape with dough, then use the instructions for our Play-Doh volcano to turn it into a science activity. Children can shape the crater and talk about what happens during the experiment.

Build Shapes With Playdough and Toothpicks

Our toothpicks and playdough shape cards give children a building challenge. They can use small pieces of dough to connect the toothpicks and create shapes. Supervise closely, and save toothpicks for children old enough to handle their sharp points safely.

Make Colorful Crayon Playdough

Try the crayon playdough craft when you want to make the dough as part of the activity. Follow the recipe’s directions, then let children use the finished dough for their own creations.

Printable Playdough Mats for Kids

Playdough mats give children a picture, outline, or prompt to build on. They are useful when a child wants to play but cannot think of what to make.

Print a mat and place it in a reusable sheet protector before adding dough. Children can roll, press, and shape their creations on top, then take the dough off and use the mat again.

Shapes and Numbers

Free printable shapes playdough mats: Roll dough pieces to form familiar shapes.
Free printable number playdough mats: Build numbers and add small dough balls for counting practice.

Animals, Space, and Science

Dolphin playdough mat: Make a dolphin and create an ocean scene.
Human organs playdough mats: Shape models while learning about the human body.
Space playdough mats: Create planets, rockets, and other space-themed designs.

Seasonal Playdough Mats

Snowflake playdough mats: Roll thin pieces of dough to make snowflake designs.
Cinco de Mayo playdough mats: Use the printable designs for a themed activity.

Browse our Play Dough Crafts collection for additional mats and projects.

Homemade Playdough Recipes

Making the dough can be a creative activity in itself. Check each recipe before you start so you have the right ingredients and know whether an adult needs to prepare any part.

Edible lemon play dough: Use lemon frosting, cornstarch, and sprinkles to make a soft dough for pretend ice cream play.
Homemade Jello playdough: Make colorful dough with a fruity scent.
No-cook glow-in-the-dark playdough: Create glowing shapes for a different kind of play session.
Pumpkin spice playdough: Try a fall-themed dough recipe.
Nutella edible playdough: Make a chocolate-themed dough using the ingredients in the recipe.
Peeps playdough: Add a playdough activity to an Easter craft day.

Only recipes specifically labeled edible are intended to use food ingredients. Check for allergies, supervise children, and keep edible dough separate from regular Play-Doh and other craft supplies.

Playdough Ideas for 4-Year-Olds

For many 4-year-olds, the best activity has a clear starting point and plenty of room to change. Ask your child to make a flower, a favorite animal, or a pretend meal. If they would rather follow a picture, offer a shape mat or number mat.

You can also play together without taking over the project. Try asking, “What could we add?” or “How did you make that shape?” Let your child decide what their creation becomes.

More Ways to Play With Playdough

Playdough creations do not need to look perfect to be fun. Try these prompts when kids want something new to do:

Make a tiny bakery. Create doughnuts, cookies, cupcakes, and pizzas.
Build a habitat. Make an animal and then create a place for it to live.
Make a pattern. Repeat two or three shapes or colors in a row.
Tell a story. Build a character and a setting, then act out what happens.
Copy a design. One person makes a simple shape, and the other tries to recreate it.
Mix colors. Combine two small pieces of dough and watch the colors change.

For older kids or adults who enjoy making detailed figures, begin with a simple shape and add texture, patterns, or tiny features. A familiar flower or animal can become a more detailed sculpting project.

Playdough Tips for Parents and Teachers

Put dough on a tray or washable surface to keep the activity contained. Start with a small amount and add more colors or tools when children are ready. Cookie cutters, a child-safe rolling pin, and reusable mats add variety without much prep.

Supervise young children, especially when an activity uses small decorations or tools. Follow the storage directions for homemade recipes, and discard dough that has become dirty or is no longer suitable for play.

Whether your child makes a simple rainbow or an entire pretend bakery, playdough gives them the freedom to try an idea, change it, and make something of their own. Pick one creation from this list and see where it leads.