How To Make Playdough Snails

This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powerful Mothering is supported by its audience, thankyou!

Playdough is a fantastic tool for kids. It seems like play to them, and it is, but it is also a beneficial tool. That is why I promote activities such as these Playdough Snails to my kids. They enjoy it and I know it is benefiting more than just desire to play.

Playdough Snails

Playdough can help strengthen a child’s hand and finger muscles that are necessary for skills such as tying shoes, handwriting, zipping a zipper and so much more. It is important that a child strengthens those muscles at a young age so that they can use them in their future.

We love this Space Prewriting Printable Set.

You don’t need too much to present this activity to your children. We used only a few supplies.
Play Doh
Seashells

We used two cans of playdough per snail, which is a great size for the seashells that we had.

Start by asking your child to roll a ball of playdough into a long snake shape.

Next, form a head at one end. Either form the antenna with your fingers, or attach two smaller pieces of playdough by hand. In a complimentary color, form two tiny little balls of dough for eyes. Have your child attach the eyes.

Select a seashell and gently insert the “tail” end of the play dough into the opening of the shell. Repeat with other colors of playdough and shells.

For more Fine Motor Fun, check out this Fine Motor Matching Game!

You could also add designs with the playdough onto the snails, for instance polka dots or stripes.

You could also ask your children to make other objects using the shells in the mix somehow. Like a man with a hat, which the hat would be the shell. Have fun with it!