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Seashell Fossils in Playdough

By Sharla Kostelyk

(This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure policy.)

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This simple seashell fossils in playdough activity is easy to set up and fun for kids. It includes opportunities for hands-on learning as well as sensory play. blue playdough on a teal surface has some seashells pressed into it and a few seashells nearby. The text shown is "seashell fossils in playdough"Use this activity after collecting shells at the beach on a vacation or pair it with an ocean unit study. You could also do this when studying fossils. It’s a great hands-on science activity.

Seashell Fossils Sensory Play:

Pressing the seashells into the playdough provides good proprioceptive sensory feedback. As does rolling out the playdough. If you use scented playdough, you can add olfactory sensory input.

There are contrasting textures and colours with the soft playdough and rough and hard seashells which engage the tactile and visual sensory systems.

How to make Seashell Fossils in Playdough:

Supplies needed:

  1. playdough (homemade or purchased)
  2. seashells
  3. rolling pin

Instructions:

  1. Set out the playdough, a rolling pin, and a variety of seashells.
  2. Have your child roll make a ball with the playdough and roll it out using the rolling pin.
  3. The seashells can then be pressed into the playdough.
  4. Encourage your child to use the rolling pin or their fingers to press the seashells further into the playdough.
  5. Invite your child to carefully peel the seashells out of the playdough. Observe the faux fossils that are now displayed where the seashells used to be.
  6. For younger kids, you can also have them match the seashells that are now out of the playdough with their imprint.

Expand this activity:

  1. Set out books about seashells for your child to discover which type of seashells are in front of them and what sea creatures used to live in them.
  2. Talk about what true fossils are and how they are formed. Here are some resources to help you teach about fossils.
  • Explaining Fossils to Kids
  • What are Fossils and how are they Formed? (video)
  • Fossil Facts for Kids

Curious About FossilsCurious About FossilsCurious About FossilsWhere Do Fossils Come from?Where Do Fossils Come from?Where Do Fossils Come from?The Beachcomber's CompanionThe Beachcomber’s CompanionThe Beachcomber's CompanionSeashells, Crabs and Sea StarsSeashells, Crabs and Sea StarsSeashells, Crabs and Sea StarsSea Shells Mixed Beach SeashellsSea Shells Mixed Beach SeashellsSea Shells Mixed Beach SeashellsPlay-Doh Modeling CompoundPlay-Doh Modeling CompoundPlay-Doh Modeling Compound

Join thousands of others who have signed up for our Sensory Solutions and Activities email series and get a free sample from our Sensory Play Recipes eBook.

Some of our favourite homemade playdough recipes:

Calming Lavender Playdough

Peppermint Playdough

Snow PlaydoughSnow Playdough and invitation to play

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Filed Under: Crafts and Activities Tagged With: playdough stations, sensory play

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