There are so many goals and objectives checked off your list when doing this activity. Ask your OT and other team members to give their input for individual student focus.
- Following directions
- Sensory play
- Fine motor skills
- Decision making and creativity
- Thinking of others
Salt dough recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Gradually add water while stirring and mixing to form a dough with a Play-Doh like consistency.
- Form the dough into a ball and knead for approximately 5-7 minutes, until the dough is smooth and firm. Additional water may be needed, depending upon humidity. Add a teaspoon of water at a time until the dough reaches the proper texture. On the other hand, if the dough is too sticky, add more flour by the teaspoon until it’s no longer tacky.
- Store the salt dough in a Ziploc bag when it’s not in use to prevent it from drying out.
Air dry clay ornaments
On a piece of wax paper, roll out a 1/2” thick, medium-size ball of air-dry clay using a rolling pin. Use cookie cutter on the clay to create the ornament shape. Use straw to create a hole close to the top of the ornament. Dry overnight. Have students decorate using paint, puffy paint, textured stickers, and ribbons after it has hardened completely.
We used DAS Modeling Clay Air Hardening and found it easy to work with.
DIY gift: cinnamon applesauce ornaments
Making these simple ornaments is a wonderful way to teach a variety of valuable skills in a multisensory way. Recipe for Cinnamon applesauce ornaments by Cassie Johnston.
Wrap it up
Have students design their own wrapping paper with stampers, foam stickers, and paints. Create a braille or large print card using paper that is also in the shape of one of the ornaments used.
Hosting a Braille Holiday Party is an article that has a variety of ideas for making holiday cards.
