8mo–20mo10 minArtFree playBath time
Squish, Swipe, Pop: Sensory Mark-Making
A baby-safe sensory exploration where your child squeezes and feels dough and gloop, makes simple marks, and pops bubbles—watching the effects their movements create.
What you'll need
Essentials
- old towel/mat (to protect the floor/table)
- tray or shallow container (baking tray works)
- homemade dough (flour + water) OR store-bought playdough (supervised)
- gloop: cornflour + water (small amount in the tray)
- large paper/cardboard (or inside of a delivery box)
- warm cloth/baby wipes for clean-up
Nice to have
- washable paint OR edible yogurt/puree (if that is the safest option for your child)
- bubble foam: a bowl with water + a tiny drop of dish soap (adult-supervised) OR bubble bath foam in the bath
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneShows interest in making marksMind· 10mo–18mo· core
- MilestoneExplores or responds to texturesBody· 6mo–12mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneRepeats actions that have an effect, e.g. kicking or hitting a mobile or shaking a rattle.Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneScribbles or makes marksBody· 12mo–22mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· stretch
- MilestoneHas a strong exploratory impulse.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Steps 1, 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage babies to make marks and to squeeze and feel media such as paint, gloop (cornflour and water), dough and bubbles.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)