Free Printable Christmas Tree Shape Play Dough Mats

Play dough is a universally liked and appreciated activity. It is inexpensive, colorful, has great sensory aspects and it is extremely versatile. We have used play dough to help teach sight words, do science experiments and so much more. I like play dough because it can be molded, shaped and cut into basically any shape. That is why it works so well with these Christmas Tree Printable Shape Play Dough Mats. You can use the play dough to help children form shapes in an exciting way. The Christmas Tree theme makes it exciting around the holiday time, which will encourage children to play & learn even more! Pair them with one of these shape printables and activities for a full blown lesson on shapes!

Christmas Tree Shape Play Dough Mats

These play dough mats are incredibly easy to set up and once they are set up you never have to do it again. You can use them over and over. Play Dough is a perfect tool for so many activities. We have used play dough to help create letters and numbers but this time we’re creating shapes.

There are two ways that we like to use our play dough mats to ensure that the play dough doesn’t stick. The first is dry erase pockets. I like to use these when we are first trying out a new theme or until I know that my kids will use it all day, every day. When I know that my kids absolutely love an activity and theme, I will laminate the play dough mats.

To Prep: Print out the free printable below.

There are two ways that we like to use our play dough mats to ensure that the play dough doesn’t stick. The first is dry erase pockets. I like to use these when we are first trying out a new theme or until I know that my kids will use it all day, every day. When I know that my kids absolutely love an activity and theme, I will laminate the play dough mats.

For real though…. laminate.all.the.things.

If choosing to laminate, you can do that now. If you are planning to use the pouches, slide the Christmas Tree Shape Play Dough Mats into the pockets.

To Use: We started this activity by my daughter filling in each shape with play dough.

Sometimes she used the play dough and molded it into the shape. Other times she used the play dough tools to ‘cut’ the play dough to fit into the shape.

We discussed what the shape was, the beginning sound of the shape, how many sides each shape has. I also had her look around the room and point out objects that were that shape. She can also peel the shape off of the play dough mat and use it to make something new that includes that shape or decorate the shape itself.

You may also like our Free Printable Gingerbread Shape Play Dough Mats

Other Ideas:

• Once the play dough is in the shape, ask children to use the play dough tools to ‘decorate’ or create patterns on the shape.
• Encourage child to use other colors of play dough to create faces and accessories for the snowmen.
• As child to use that shape to create something new.
• Use the play dough mats as a guide to make the shapes on the table.