my body

Skulls, bones, and spiders are non-threatening in this glam skeleton playdough tray, ready for early learners to explore.

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For the longest while I stayed away from featuring skeletons in activities for little learners. But you wouldn’t know it by all the posts about them on this blog. That’s because in recent years I’ve seen so many glam skeletons in home décor, inspiring a host of ways to showcase them in fun, non-threatening ways. This glam skeleton playdough tray is my latest bone-filled play invitation. It is an extension of a post I did last week about an elegant skeleton sensory bin.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Gather

Silver and gold loose parts complement the neutral palette in this glam skeleton-themed playdough invitation.

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The same loose parts used in the skeleton-themed sensory bin work wonderfully in a playdough party tray:

skeletons
skulls
bones
spider figurines
pearl beads
gem leaves
bead jewelry strands
crown hair combs
mini pumpkins
bells

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The Glam Skeleton Playdough Tray

This playdough tray can be offered with a basic playdough recipe or one that is colored. Black and white playdough contrast each other in the tray below. There are links to the dough recipes further on in the post.

A skeleton sits atop black and white playdough in this inviting party tray. Other loose parts include pumpkins, spiders, skulls, and bones.

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This next tray features white playdough made with my go-to basic playdough recipe.

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Although there’s a whole lotta glam in the sensory tray, an ornate mirror adds just a little more.

A mirror adds elegance to this glam skeleton playdough invitation early learners will be excited to explore.

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The loose parts spark the imagination and children can use them to make unique designs. They make interesting prints in the dough.

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Playdough Recipes

Find the recipes for the playdough here:

Black Playdough Recipe (from the blog “Left Brain Craft Brain.”)

This black playdough was featured in my “White Lilacs And Black Playdough” blog post a few months ago. Believe it or not, the playdough is still pliable.

Basic Playdough Recipe

The basic playdough recipe can be made in a big batch to use with a group of children.

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Four different ways to feature skeleton-themed loose parts in sensory play. Black and white playdough recipes are included.

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Related: Skeleton And Eyeball Waterplay

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[Read more…]

Oh, so fun skeleton and eyeball water play activities with eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeletons. .

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Your early learners will be oh, so excited to explore skeleton and eyeball waterplay activities with skulls, eyeballs, and bones. The supplies to collect are low cost: skeleton parts can be found at dollar stores and local party stores, especially in autumn.

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Skeleton And Eyeball Soup

Collect:

plastic eyeballs
squishy eyeballs
plastic skulls
ice cube skulls
bones
extra large wiggly eyes
skeleton models
clear plastic cups
red and blue food coloring
water pitcher
spray shaving foam
ladles
clear cups
tulip shaped punch bowl

Skeleton and eyeball loose parts ready for sensory play.

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A tulip-shaped punch bowl makes a handy container to fit 3-4 children around. But use whatever you have available…a container of any size or shape will have play possibilities.

Use a pitcher to pour water into the punch bowl. Mix in red and blue food coloring to turn the liquid purple. Drop-in clear plastic cups, ladles, eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeleton models.

Skeleton and eyeball water play in a tulip-shaped punch bowl with eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeletons.

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To extend play possibilities, spray shaving foam on top of the water first, and then lay on the loose parts.

Eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeletons float on shaving foam topped purple water in a tulip-shaped punch bowl.

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After a short while, the shaving foam shrinks, and the water becomes a milky purple.

Shaving foam-topped water play in a tulip-shaped punch bowl with eyeballs, wiggly eyes, skulls, bones, and skeletons.

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Eyeball Soup

You don’t need all of the above items for your little learners to enjoy skeleton and eyeball waterplay. Just add eyeballs and a ladle to a large bowl of colored water set in a tub. Spray in a little shaving foam if you have it available. Your early learners will love scooping the “soup” into bowls.

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Sprinkle purple glitter on the liquid mixture, and offer eyedroppers, a baster, and pouring containers for more play.

Eyeball soup water play with eyedroppers, a ladle, a baster, and pouring containers.

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Eyeball Sensory Tube

Load eyeballs into a clear, narrow plastic bottle with a lid. Add neon yellow water. Set the sensory tube on a table for your little ones to view and touch.

Plastic eyeballs and neon yellow water in a sensory tube.

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Which activity do you like best? Share in a comment below.

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