Play Dough Pictionary

Introduction
Take traditional Pictionary to a new dimension! Practice fractions and measurement to make your own play dough. Then, use the dough to sculpt clues to a partner or team.

Learning Objective

Kids will…
…practice math and science skills, including measurement and fractions.
…practice literacy and communication skills.
…use creative arts to express thoughts and ideas.

Materials

• See Below

Activity

1. Ask: Who has played the game ‘Pictionary?’
2. Ask for volunteers to explain the rules. One person from each team of 2–3 players looks at the word card and draws clues to get their teammate(s) to guess the word. First team to guess correctly wins a point.
3. Explain: We’re putting a new twist on the game. We’ll make play dough and use the dough to make clues, instead of drawing with pencils and paper.
4. Choose one of the attached recipes—one requires cooking, the other doesn’t.
5. Divide kids into groups and provide measuring cups, bowls, and ingredients. Use all safety precautions if you are using a stove top or hot plate. Assist when necessary, but allow for groups to make (measuring) mistakes and learn from them.
6. When dough is ready, divide into teams to play. Each team makes ten word cards, folds them over, and puts a team name or letter on it. All the word cards go in a bowl, cup, or pile. One player from a team picks a card that is not one of their own. The player needs to use the play dough to sculpt a clue to get his or
   her teammates to guess the word. Play several rounds, rotating sculptors and guessers. Use a timer to keep it moving.
7. Play several rounds. Use a timer to keep the game moving along.
8. Debrief: What was the most difficult clue to make? The easiest?

Ratchet Down

Make cards in advance.

Project Extension!

Have groups research different dough recipes and try them out. Create a rubric to rate the different dough (i.e., ease to make, availability of ingredients, texture, shelf life, etc…) Graph the results and share with families.

Host a family night, making dough and playing the game.

Stove-top Play Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring (optional)

1. Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last.
2. Stir over medium heat until smooth.
3. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth.
4. Place in plastic bag or airtight container when

Stove-top Play Dough

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• food coloring (optional)

1. Mix all ingredients, adding food coloring last.
2. Stir over medium heat until smooth.
3. Remove from pan and knead until blended smooth.
4. Place in plastic bag or airtight container when

View PDF

< Free January/February Downloads

 

Up Next:  Find out about our Program Design Publications.