Rebecca, from Guildford, sent in this great salt dough ladybirds idea. Let’s take a look…
What did you do?
We made salt dough ladybirds. These can be made just for fun or to support counting, doubling, halving and even symmetry.
First I made a batch of salt dough:
2 cups of plain flour
1 Cup of salt
1 cup of water
Mixed together in a large bowl using a wooden spoon or for best results get the children to get their hands in there.
Once mixture is combined to a play dough consistency, put a little flour our in the side and some flour in the rolling pin. This will stop the salt dough sticking.
Roll out until flat (not too thin).
You will then need a cutter, I used a Russian doll shaped cutter but a circle or oval will work just as well.
Once cut place them on baking paper in a oven tray. Using a knife lightly score the head and centre line. I used the end of my knife to create the spot indents, again don’t make them too deep otherwise they will crack during baking.
Once all scored I popped them in the oven for 2 hours at 120°C.
I painted mine using ready made poster paint and later varnish them so they would last longer.
The activity is so versatile, you can create anything using salt dough and the creating is fun for all the family.
I created mine to support mathematical concepts within my class of Reception children.
-counting
-ordering numbers
-doubling
-halving
-addition
-symmetry
You can varnish them if you wanted them to last even longer.
Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…
Hi I’m Rebecca, a Reception teacher and EYFS lead in a three form Primary School.
I’ve been a teacher for 14years, the last 8 have been in the Early Years.
@EYFS_fun_missd
What are your children’s favourite books?
The Gruffalo
Snail and the Whale
Beegu
Percy the park keeper books
Farmer Duck
What toys would you recommend to other parents?
Loose parts, anything open ended.
