We created slime that looks just like toothpaste for Dental Health Month. It is the perfect material to invite kids to explore for fine motor, sensory, and pretend play!
Our kids were closely supervised and know not to taste this slime but use your own judgement with your children. This sensory play is not recommended for children who still put things in their mouths or might think this is real toothpaste.
Last year to celebrate Dental Health Month in February we played with real toothpaste! This year we decided to make a fun sensory substitute. This variation only takes a few ingredients and lasts a lot longer.
For this toothpaste slime we used clear glue. We colored the glue with turquoise and blue liquid watercolors and added super fine glitter. Mix, mix, mix!
Learn more about dentists and other community helpers in our preschool unit:
We mixed in liquid starch a tablespoonful at a time and stirred really well until it looked perfectly like toothpaste. Add the starch in slowly! If you happen to over-do it, just add in more glue.
To present the invitation to play to our kids, I set the toothpaste slime out with lots of accessories! These included our dental play dough tools (this set contains that perfect toothbrush you see above that allows you to actually squeeze the toothpaste slime through it), plastic teeth (these are perfect for holding actual lost teeth as well), and real toothbrushes.
There was so much fine motor work for our preschooler and toddler. They pushed the toothpaste slime through the toothbrush and used the tweezers to fill the tooth holder, too!
Our preschooler is interested in loose teeth since she has a few wiggly already and the Tooth Fairy is visiting her friends! She pulled the pretend teeth with the tweezers.
The slime is stretchy but not sticky. You can pinch off a bit for your pretend toothbrush. Slime is also fun to cut with scissors!
They loved to practice brushing the pretend teeth. This was a great time to discuss how and why we brush our own teeth each day and night.
This week's Fine Motor Friday's posts:
QTip Train Art Printable from Craftulate
Cutting & Threading Practice with Straws from Powerful Mothering
Pom Pom Push Activity for Toddlers from School Time Snippets
Fun Pre Writing Activity for Toddlers from Lalymom
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Great way to explore Dental Health! So much fun... and the slime really does look like toothpaste!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness how fun! I can't believe how much it looks like our toothpaste, awesome idea!!
ReplyDeleteThis really looks like toothpaste! So fun!
ReplyDeleteSeriously cool!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how much it looks like real toothpaste!
ReplyDeleteTotally adorable! We have some blue slime leftover and are going to have to play toothpaste for sure.
ReplyDeleteI love this activity idea. Anything that can make brushing and oral health fun for kids it a great idea in my book. Getting them started early can lead to a lifetime of great oral health.
ReplyDelete