Welcome to Alphabet Sensory Activities, hosted by The Jenny Evolution along with their partner site The Sensory Spectrum! 26 amazing bloggers have gotten together to share a sensory experience based on a letter of the alphabet every day this month. This post contains affiliate links.

Dirt Doh…totally yucky!  

As a contributor to the Alphabet Sensory Activities Series, I am responsible for the letter Y. For me, the first thing I think of is  “YUCKY!”   I love to do sensory activities, especially recipes, with my class push-ins. There are so many functional skills to work on; no matter the age or level of your students. Stirring, Pouring, Kneading, and Squeezing are just a few ways to work on hand strength and bilateral coordination. Measuring, Sequencing, Calculating, and Adding are just a few ways to add Math to the Mix.

Depending on the class I am with, I like to have the children practice opening the packages, walking across the room with water from the sink, and finding the measuring cups they need. For older children, I add a math component by asking them to “double” the recipe or “half” the recipe. If the recipe is edible, I even include daily living skills such as washing hands, setting the table, or cutting with a knife and fork. Literally, one recipe can yield endless activities. This is one recipe that I have used in a few different ways and I am so excited to share my recipe for …

“Dirt Doh”

Dirt is Yucky! Therefore kids love it! This is a great recipe that is also a “green” activity. Used coffee grinds are the main ingredient, and you can switch up the recipe to change the consistency.

Here’s what you need:

1 parts used coffee grinds (wet or dry)

1 part water

1 part flour

Mix all the ingredients.  Add more flour if it’s too wet.

I’ve used this recipe in October to make a Halloween “coffin” filled with “dirt”, bones, fingers, and eyeballs. I’ve also used it in the spring as science lessons to talk about how flowers grow and how bugs live. And worse comes to worst, just make “mud pies” because it’s fun! Dirt Doh is so versatile!

Using “dirt doh” as a spring sensory activity while learning about how flowers grow and how bugs live.

Using “Dirt Doh” to fill an under-the-bed storage container to make a “coffin” in October to dig for eyeballs, bones, and other Yucky stuff.

Using “dirt doh” to work on hand strength and bilateral coordination just because it’s fun!

Dirt is “yucky” and kids love “Yucky!!!

If you like Dirt Doh, please make sure to check out the rest of the Alphabet Sensory Activity Series on the Jenny Evolution.com.

Products you may be interested in:

*These are affiliate links

Sensory Processing 101 is a vital resource for parents, teachers, and therapists who work with children with Sensory Processing difficulties.

Bartholomew and the Oobleck

Glow in The Dark Slime (Pack of 12)

Be Amazing Insta-Snow Jar, Makes 2 Gallons

Have any other “yucky” recipes for us? Please share!                   ~Miss Jaime, OT