For a simple playdough activity for toddlers, preschoolers, or kindergarteners, learn life in the pond with our free printable pond life playdough mats. Choose one of our easy playdough recipes or use store-bought. Then add these printable life-in-a-pond playdough mats, and you will have a fantastic hands-on early learning activity to add to your spring lessons.
Spring Science Activities
Learning about pond life is a classic theme for spring theme science lessons, but so is play! We have you covered with our playful activities, playdough included. Kids can create lily pads, cattails, fish, turtles, and more!
Plus, you’ll find a simple fact about each pond life item to share with your kiddos while they play! This is a great way to spark a conversation about ponds… you can ask many open-ended questions and maybe even visit a pond near you!
If you’ve wanted an easy playful spring learning activity to share with your kiddos, you will love this pond activity. All you need to do is download our free printable playdough mat bundle below, make up a batch of homemade playdough (or use store-bought), and get started!
IDEA: Make a super simple pond sensory bin using plastic frogs, rocks, a bit of water, and sponges for lily pads! You can add anything else you have on hand.
Combine these pond life playdough mats with other hands-on activities for a fun spring lesson in the classroom or at home. You’ll also want this FREE Frog Color By Number Life Cycle Pack.
Then learn about the life cycle of a frog with these free color-by-number activities and mini pack!
Learn About the Pond Life
These playdough mats are a terrific opportunity to add spring science to your playtime! Explore typical pond life items and build your playdough pond at home!
Encourage creativity and let the playdough fun extend past the mats. Roll out a base of blue playdough for a pond and create an entire pond life scene using the mats for inspiration.
What Pond Life is Included?
This 8-page, free pond life playdough mats pack includes:
- Cattails
- Lily Pads
- Rocks
- Turtles
- Fish
- Dragon Fly
- Duck
- Sun
How To Use These Printable Playdough Mats
Tip 1: Protect your mats by laminating or placing them in clear page protectors!
Tip 2: Set up your area with playdough, a few tools, and mats. Less is more when it comes to accessories or tools, as they may overwhelm your kiddos and decrease their attention span!
Tip 3: If working in a large group situation, try rotating three kiddos through the station at a time, so it does not become chaotic.
Tip 4: There is no wrong way to play with the playdough mat or fill in the shapes but you can demonstrate how to roll playdough snakes if your kiddos need help getting started. Or they can roll balls and squish them onto the shapes. They can use a playdough knife to cut chunks as well.
Tip 5: Add letter stamps for kiddos who want to stamp the weather words if more time allows.
Tip 6: Read about each playdough mat and ask questions to encourage discussion. But also allow for creative playtime without instruction or talking if desired. Remember that you can also interrupt their thought process if they are independently playing. It’s a balance!
Homemade Playdough Recipes
Choose from various recipes to make your own playdough and explore a variety of textures, including a taste-safe playdough recipe!
Check out our popular no-cook playdough recipe to whip up your own batch of homemade playdough.
—>>> Go here to find all our playdough recipes.
Free Printable Pond Life Playdough Mats
Download and print the “Life in a Pond” playdough mats below. Before use, laminate the mats or place them in a sheet protector for durability and ease of use.
Click below to get your printable playdough mats!
Printable Playdough Recipes Pack
If you want an easy-to-use printable resource for all your favorite playdough recipes and exclusive (only available in this pack) playdough mats, grab our printable Playdough Project Pack!
