Molding and shaping dough is one of the best fine-motor skill options for young fingers. Plus it is very fun!
This is my favorite option.
Ingredients: 1 cup Baking Soda, 1/2 cup Cornstarch, 3/4 cup warm water
Directions: Mix dry ingredients in saucepan. Add plain or tinted (food coloring works well) warm water and stir until dissolved. Cook over medium high heat until it resembles play dough. Remove from heat and cool to touch. Kneed on lightly cornstarched surface until smooth and soft. Roll to the desired thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Add a hand or footprint if desired. Use a straw to make a hole for hanging. Embellish, paint, emboss as desired. Air dry for 24 hours turning one or twice to reduce curling.
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup salt, 1/2 cups water
Directions: Mix together the flour and salt. Add in the water. May add food coloring. Knead until smooth. Break off a small section and roll 1/8" thick. Have the child press his foot or hand into the dough to make a print. Let it dry for a few days by flipping periodically or bake at 200 degrees until hard. Make the ornament dough and allow the ornaments to reflect each personality or create a hand or footprint. Start a tradition by dating the ornaments to look back at years of memories.
