Social Emotional Learning Art Projects: Pumpkin Playdough

If you are looking for a fun and effective way to help children manage big emotions like anger or frustration, then "Pumpkin Playdough" might just be the perfect tool. This activity offers more than just a seasonal craft – it’s an excellent way to help children regulate their emotions. We spoke with Tom Timmerman, LSW, a Parent Navigator at Sanford Children’s CHILD Services, to learn about the benefits behind this engaging activity.

Sensory Play and Emotional Regulation

Creating and using Pumpkin Playdough provides children with a sensory experience that can help them manage overwhelming feelings. According to Tom, sensory activities like this are powerful because they give children a moment to step back from a stressful situation and focus on something that is soothing. “Having a sensory item like Pumpkin Playdough that can provide input through touch, sight, smell, and sound gives two key benefits for upset children: time and distraction,” explains Tom. “Even just taking a moment to relax and work through overwhelming or overstimulating moments can help. It is also helpful to have something that can distract from difficult emotions.” The physical act of squeezing, squishing, and rolling playdough is especially calming for kids. By giving them an opportunity to engage in something sensory-focused, children can pause and shift their attention, allowing them to process and regulate their emotions.

The Calming Power of Squeezing, Rolling, and Squishing

The act of manipulating playdough in different ways is more than just fun – it can also help children calm their bodies and minds. “Squishing and rolling playdough activates another calming technique known as ‘heavy work,’” says Tom. “Utilizing some of our strength to push or pull at something can reduce stress hormone production and create calming feelings in the brain.” The hands contain a large number of pressure points, so sensory activities like playdough help create an even stronger calming effect. The playdough provides an appropriate and constructive alternative to usual stress responses such as hitting or kicking.

Teaching Healthy Emotional Coping

One of the most important lessons children can learn is that big feelings are normal, and there are healthy ways to cope with intense emotions. Pumpkin Playdough provides a great opportunity to teach these concepts in a fun and accessible way. Tom recommends turning playdough into a teaching tool by creating different shapes and characters. “Make different shapes and creations with the playdough and describe how this is like all the different types of emotions we can feel,” he suggests. “There are no ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’ emotions – what matters is how we manage them.” This gives children a tangible way to understand their emotions, showing them that it’s okay to feel big emotions like anger, sadness, or frustration. By encouraging kids to create, squish, and even destroy their playdough creations, caregivers can help children release their feelings in a healthy and productive manner. Plus, the pleasant scent of the playdough adds to the sensory experience, contributing to a more calming environment.

Using Pumpkin Playdough as a Consistent Coping Tool

So, how can caregivers encourage children to use Pumpkin Playdough as a consistent tool to manage their emotions? Tom suggests a few ways to incorporate this craft into everyday life, especially when emotions run high. Start by helping children identify their feelings and recognize when they are starting to feel overwhelmed. Make sure they recognize how it looks, feels and smells. Then ask questions like “Does that feel good?” or “Does that smell good?” Ask them how they feel after a few minutes of playing with it to see it they are feeling better or the same. Work with them to identify doughs, scents or whatever else they enjoy that can help elevate their mood. By prompting them to reflect on their emotions and how they’re feeling during play, you can encourage them to take control of their emotional regulation. Over time, this practice helps children develop their ability to self-regulate and seek comfort from calming activities like playdough. Additionally, Tom stresses the importance of praise. “Praise children for any efforts they make to self-regulate,” he says. “If they’re able to ask for help from a caregiver, that’s worth praising too. But continue to encourage them to use tools like Pumpkin Playdough to calm down on their own.”

Pumpkin Playdough is more than just a seasonal craft – it’s a valuable tool for helping children manage their emotions and develop healthy coping skills. From soothing sensory input to providing a safe space for emotional release, this simple activity can make a big impact on a child’s emotional well-being.

Ready to get crafty? Learn how to make this awesome project here!