This nature-inspired sensory activity is perfect for spring and celebrates the simple joy of playing with what the season offers. Using dandelions collected by the children, we create homemade playdough together — combining fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and a love for nature in one calming invitation to play.
You will need:
- Collected dandelions (Just make sure to leave some for the butterflies and bees – Dandelions are the most important first nectar and pollen sources for beneficial insects).
(Here is a basic homemade playdough we use but there are many other simple recipes available and other methods of making it, that you may like to try or adapt)
- 2 cups plain flour
- 1 cup salt
- 2 tbsp cream of tartar
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1.5-2 cups hot water cooked over a low heat
- Optional: A few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil for additional scent
How to make it:
- Prepare the dandelions: Let the children help gently pull apart the petals — this is a sensory experience in itself!
- In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients together and 1/2 of the dandelion petals.
- Add the oil and hot water and stir over a low heat until it forms a dough (please remember to discuss safety rules with your Young Ones if they are using the hob – there are also no cook recipes that you can use, if you are not able to safely cook your dough).
- Add the remaining dandelion petals and knead well (once suitably cooled).
- Enjoy the gentle texture and sensory experience!
Creating an invitation to spark curiosity and excitement – Suggestion for a natural and simple invitation to play… Offer the dandelion playdough with natural loose parts (sticks, pebbles, leaves, pine cones, more dandelions, small wooden bowls and/or cutters)
No agenda, just open-ended sensory play.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understanding the natural world – identifying and gathering seasonal flowers. You can also use this as an opportunity to learn more about this amazing plant… For example: did you know the whole of a dandelion is edible and it actually contains more nutrients than most common vegetables (how amazing is that)?!
- Fine motor development – Mixing, kneading, moulding, squishing, rolling, and pinching playdough strengthens small muscles in the hands and fingers, which supports handwriting and other fine motor tasks. That’s without mentioning the hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills used to collect and pull apart the dandelions.
- Sensory exploration – engaging touch, smell and sight in calming ways.
- Language and communication – talking about textures, colours and the nature around them. Sensory play is also a great opportunity to incorporate new language and to use lots of fantastic adjectives.
- Emotional wellbeing – using nature-based play to ground, relax and calm.
- Creativity and Imagination – Children can create anything from insects and animals, to imaginary creatures, encouraging imaginative play and storytelling.
This activity is as much about the process as the product. It encourages connection, mindfulness, and creativity — while nurturing a lifelong love for nature, right from the earliest years.
Because the biggest memories are often made in the smallest, most natural moments.
Guiding The Young Ones 
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