Our most recent Tots Take Over session had a seaside theme, so what better activity than homemade sand dough? 🌊

This was a huge hit with the tots and created such a lovely sensory play experience. I paired the sand dough with shells collected from the beach, pine cones, rollers, cutters and even dyed pasta shells — but you could easily adapt this using whatever natural treasures or play resources you already have at home.

✨ You’ll need:

• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 cup fine beach sand (not craft sand)
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 tbsp cream of tartar
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp glycerine
• 3/4 cup boiling water

✨ Method:
Mix together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the oil, glycerine and boiling water, then mix well with a wooden spoon.

Once cool enough to handle, tip onto the side and knead well until smooth.

Allow to cool completely (this helps remove any stickiness) and then it’s ready to play.

⚠️ Safety Note:
As raw flour can carry bacteria such as E. coli, it is recommended to heat-treat the flour before use. Simply spread the flour onto a baking tray and bake at 160°C fan for approximately 10 minutes, allowing it to cool fully before making the dough.

⚠️ Additional Note:
As this recipe is oil-based, it is probably best avoided on untreated wooden surfaces or delicate tables, as oils may mark or stain some finishes.

This activity worked beautifully alongside our seaside theme and encouraged lots of imaginative, exploratory and sensory play 🤍