16mo–2.2y11 minArtFree playFamily time
Roll & Stamp Trail: Dough Tools Adventure
A hands-on dough/clay/sand play set-up where your child uses sticks, rollers, and moulds while practising steady squats, short carries, and safe moving between mini ‘tool spots’.
What you'll need
Essentials
- soft dough or clay (store-bought or homemade) OR a shallow tray of damp sand
- a rolling pin OR a clean plastic bottle (as a roller)
- simple moulds (cookie cutters, clean jar lids, or cups)
- sticks for marking (ice-pop sticks, chopsticks, or clean twigs)
- a wipeable mat/tray and a clear floor/table space
Nice to have
- 2–3 cushions to mark ‘tool spots’ (pickup places)
- an apron/old T-shirt for mess
- a small towel for quick hand wiping
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneStoops or squats and stands againBody· 15mo–18mo· core
- MilestoneActs from knowledge of propertiesMind· 16mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneWalks independentlyBody· 15mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneClimbs onto furniture with helpBody· 15mo–2.5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneClimbs stairs with adult helpBody· 10mo–18mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneDescends with adult helpBody· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Runs safely on whole foot.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Squats with steadiness to rest or play with object on the ground, and rises to feet without using hands.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Climbs confidently and is beginning to pull themselves up on nursery play climbing equipment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can kick a large ball.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide sticks, rollers and moulds for young children to use in dough, clay or sand.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)