Therapy putty is a fantastic tool for occupational therapists, educators, and parents looking to support fine motor skills and provide sensory input. Making therapy putty at home is easier than you might think with our best therapy putty recipe.
Key Takeaways:
- You can make therapy putty at home using simple ingredients.
- The first recipe uses white school glue, baking soda, corn starch, and contact lens solution.
- The second recipe uses cornstarch and lotion, with the option to add food coloring and essential oils.
- The third recipe uses white glue, water, borax, and food coloring.
- DIY therapy putties can be used to strengthen hand muscles, improve fine motor skills, and provide sensory input.
- You can customize therapy putty with different colors and hidden objects for added engagement.
Why Make Your Own Therapy Putty?
Making your own therapy putty allows you to create a stress-relieving and fun tool for developing fine motor skills. Additionally, you have the flexibility to customize the putty mixture to suit your needs. Whether you’re an occupational therapist, educator, or parent, homemade therapy putty can provide a cost-effective solution that promotes sensory play and strengthens hand muscles.
Benefits of Homemade Therapy Putty:
- Stress Relief: Therapy putty can act as a stress ball, providing a calming and soothing sensory experience.
- Improved Fine Motor Skills: Engaging with therapy putty helps develop finger strength, dexterity, and coordination.
- Customizable: With homemade putty, you can experiment with different textures, colors, and scents to create a personalized sensory experience.
- Engagement: Adding small objects, such as beads or buttons, to the putty can enhance fine motor skills and increase engagement during therapy sessions.
Therapy Putty Recipe 1: Glue-Based Putty
This recipe uses white school glue, baking soda, corn starch, and contact lens solution. It’s a simple and effective DIY therapy putty that can be made at home. The ingredients are easily accessible and affordable. You can also add gel food color and glitter for an extra touch of fun and sensory stimulation.
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| – 1/2 cup white school glue | 1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the glue with 1/2 cup of corn starch. |
| – 1/4 cup baking soda | 2. Add the baking soda and mix well. |
| – 1/4 cup corn starch | 3. Slowly add the contact lens solution while stirring until the mixture forms a smooth, putty-like consistency. |
| – 1 tablespoon contact lens solution | 4. Knead the putty with your hands until it becomes less sticky and more pliable. |
| – Gel food coloring (optional) | 5. Optional: Add a few drops of gel food coloring and glitter for a vibrant and sensory-rich experience. |
By following this recipe, you can create your own therapy putty that promotes stress relief, fine motor skill development, and sensory play. The glue-based putty is easy to make and can provide hours of therapeutic engagement.
Therapy Putty Recipe 1: Glue-Based Putty
Our first therapy putty recipe uses white school glue to create a stress-relieving and moldable putty that can be customized with different colors and textures. This recipe is a great option for individuals looking for a simple and cost-effective way to make therapy putty at home.
To make this glue-based putty, you will need:
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| – White school glue | 1. In a medium-sized bowl, pour out the desired amount of white school glue. |
| – Baking soda | 2. Add a small amount of baking soda to the glue and mix well until combined. |
| – Corn starch | 3. Gradually add corn starch to the mixture until it reaches the desired consistency. The more corn starch you add, the firmer the putty will become. |
| – Contact lens solution | 4. Slowly incorporate contact lens solution into the mixture, stirring continuously. The putty should start to come together and pull away from the sides of the bowl. |
| – Gel food color (optional) | 5. If desired, add a few drops of gel food color to the putty mixture and knead it until the color is evenly distributed. |
| – Glitter (optional) | 6. For some added sensory fun, sprinkle in glitter and mix it into the putty. |
This glue-based therapy putty provides a great outlet for stress relief and can be used in various therapeutic activities. It offers tactile stimulation and enhances fine motor skills while providing a malleable texture to engage the senses. By customizing the putty with different colors and textures, you can create a fun and personalized experience for sensory play.
Therapy Putty Recipe 2: Cornstarch and Lotion Putty
If you prefer a lotion-based therapy putty, our second recipe using cornstarch and lotion is perfect for strengthening finger muscles and providing sensory play. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a medium-sized bowl of therapeutic putty that’s ready to use.
To make this homemade putty, you’ll need:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cornstarch | 1 cup |
| Lotion (unscented) | 1/2 cup |
| Food coloring (optional) | A few drops |
| Essential oils (optional) | A few drops |
To make the putty, simply mix the cornstarch and lotion together in a medium-sized bowl. You can add a few drops of food coloring for added visual appeal or essential oils for a calming or invigorating scent. Knead the mixture with your hands until it reaches a putty-like consistency.
This cornstarch and lotion putty is not only great for strengthening finger muscles but also provides an engaging sensory experience. Children can use their fingers to explore the smooth texture and play with the putty, improving their fine motor skills along the way. By adding different colors or hiding small objects in the putty, you can enhance the sensory play and keep kids entertained for hours.
Therapy Putty Recipe 3: Borax-Based Putty
For a different texture and stress-relieving experience, our third therapy putty recipe using white glue and borax provides a unique sensory input. This recipe requires a separate bowl, white glue, hot water, borax, and food coloring.
To create this therapy putty, start by pouring half a cup of white glue into a bowl. In a separate container, mix one teaspoon of borax with half a cup of hot water until the borax is dissolved. Slowly add the borax solution to the glue, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens.
Add a few drops of food coloring to the putty for a pop of color. Knead the mixture with your hands until it becomes smooth and stretchy. The borax-based putty will provide a calming and stress-relieving sensation as you mold and shape it.
| Ingredients: | Instructions: |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup of white glue | Pour white glue into a bowl |
| 1 teaspoon of borax | Dissolve borax in half a cup of hot water in a separate container |
| Food coloring (optional) | Add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture for extra color |
With this borax-based therapy putty, you can strengthen hand muscles, improve fine motor skills, and provide sensory input. Its unique texture and stress-relieving properties make it a therapeutic tool for individuals of all ages. Customize the putty with different colors and add small objects for an engaging sensory experience.
Benefits of DIY Therapy Putty
DIY therapy putty offers numerous benefits, including improved hand strength, proprioceptive input, and engagement that kids love. It provides a great tool for occupational therapists, educators, and parents to support fine motor skills development in a fun and interactive way.
One advantage of DIY therapy putty is the ability to add small objects to the putty, which enhances fine motor skills and proprioception. As children manipulate the putty, they can search for hidden objects or small items within the putty. This activity encourages finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination while providing sensory input.
DIY therapy putty can also be customized with different colors and scents, making it even more appealing to children. Adding food coloring or essential oils to the putty creates a multisensory experience and can further enhance the sensory input received during play. This customization allows therapists and parents to cater to each child’s preferences and needs.
Table: Comparing DIY Therapy Putty Recipes
| Recipe | Main Ingredients | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Glue-Based Putty | White school glue, baking soda, corn starch, contact lens solution | Stress relief, customizable with colors and glitter |
| Cornstarch and Lotion Putty | Cornstarch, lotion | Sensory play, finger strengthening |
| Borax-Based Putty | White glue, water, borax | Stress relief, sensory input through temperature |
With these benefits and the flexibility of DIY therapy putty recipes, it’s no wonder that therapists and parents alike turn to homemade putty as a valuable tool for promoting fine motor skills, hand strength, and proprioceptive input. Start making your own therapy putty today and unlock the endless possibilities it offers for therapeutic play!
Tips for Using Therapy Putty
When working with kids and therapy putty, remember that a little bit goes a long way. Make therapy sessions fun by incorporating various activities that promote fine motor skills and finger strengthening. Here are some tips to get started:
- Start with small amounts of therapy putty to avoid overwhelming the child. A pea-sized portion is often enough to engage their fingers and strengthen their hand muscles.
- Encourage the child to squeeze, pinch, and roll the putty between their fingers to work on fine motor skills and dexterity. This will help improve hand strength and coordination.
- Introduce different objects or small toys into the therapy putty for added sensory input and engagement. The child can search for hidden treasures within the putty, improving their tactile perception and focus.
- Use therapy putty during other activities, such as reading or storytelling, to keep the child engaged and occupied. They can manipulate the putty while listening or responding to the story, fostering their creativity and imagination.
By following these tips and incorporating therapy putty into your sessions, you can create a fun and effective therapeutic experience for kids. Remember to always supervise their play and consult with an occupational therapist for guidance.
| Benefits of Using Therapy Putty with Kids |
|---|
| 1. Improves fine motor skills |
| 2. Strengthens hand muscles |
| 3. Provides sensory input |
| 4. Enhances focus and concentration |
| 5. Promotes creativity and imagination |
With these tips and the benefits of therapy putty in mind, you can create engaging and effective therapy sessions for kids. Get started today and see the positive impact it can have on their fine motor skills, finger strength, and overall development.
Exploring More Options: Homemade Silly Putty
If you’re looking for a super-easy and fun putty recipe that resembles slime, try making homemade silly putty using just a few ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. This recipe is perfect for kids and provides hours of play and sensory exploration.
To make homemade silly putty, all you need is a bowl, glue, liquid starch, and food coloring. Simply pour the glue into the bowl and add a few drops of your favorite food coloring. Mix well until the color is evenly distributed throughout the glue. Then, gradually add liquid starch while stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes less sticky. Once the consistency is right, remove the putty from the bowl and knead it with your hands until it is smooth and stretchy.
This homemade silly putty recipe is a great alternative to store-bought slime. It offers the same gooey and stretchy texture that kids love, but with the added benefit of being made with safe and easily accessible ingredients. Plus, making it at home allows you to customize the colors and even add glitter or small objects for extra sensory play.
Homemade Silly Putty Recipe:
| Ingredients | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 cup of glue | Pour glue into a bowl |
| A few drops of food coloring | Add food coloring to the glue and mix well |
| ½ cup of liquid starch | Gradually add liquid starch while stirring until the mixture thickens |
| Remove the putty from the bowl and knead it with your hands until smooth |
With this homemade silly putty recipe, you can create a fun and engaging sensory experience for your children. It’s a great way to promote fine motor skills, tactile exploration, and imaginative play. So, grab a bowl and some glue, and get ready to enjoy hours of silly putty fun!
Using Therapy Putty in Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists frequently use therapy putty as a versatile tool to support fine motor development, strengthen hand muscles, and provide essential sensory input. Therapy putty can be utilized in a variety of ways during therapy sessions to target specific goals and meet the unique needs of each individual.
One of the main benefits of therapy putty is its ability to improve fine motor skills. By engaging in various exercises and activities with therapy putty, individuals can work on their hand and finger dexterity, coordination, and precision. Occupational therapists often incorporate putty squeezing, rolling, and stretching exercises to enhance grip strength and finger manipulation.
Additionally, therapy putty provides valuable sensory input. The squishy and malleable texture of putty can provide individuals with proprioceptive feedback, which helps them better understand the position and movement of their hands. This type of sensory input is especially beneficial for individuals who have sensory processing difficulties or challenges with body awareness.
Therapy putty can also be customized to make therapy sessions engaging and fun for children. Adding different colors or hiding small objects within the putty can enhance sensory exploration and encourage prolonged engagement. Occupational therapists often use putty exercises that involve searching for and manipulating small objects within the putty, further promoting fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
| Benefits of Using Therapy Putty in Occupational Therapy |
|---|
| Supports fine motor development |
| Strengthens hand muscles |
| Provides essential sensory input |
| Improves grip strength and finger manipulation |
| Enhances proprioceptive feedback |
| Encourages engagement and exploration |
| Promotes hand-eye coordination |
Make Your Own Therapy Putty Today!
Start reaping the benefits of DIY therapy putty by making your own today and incorporating it into fun activities that promote fine motor skills and finger strengthening. With these three therapy putty recipes, you can easily create your own customized putty at home.
The first recipe uses white school glue, baking soda, corn starch, and contact lens solution. Simply mix all the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and pliable consistency. You can also add gel food color and glitter for extra fun and sensory play. This putty is great for stress relief and can help improve finger dexterity.
The second recipe uses cornstarch and lotion, providing a different texture and sensory experience. Mix equal parts cornstarch and lotion in a medium-sized bowl until you form a dough-like consistency. You can customize this putty by adding food coloring and essential oils to enhance the sensory aspect. It’s perfect for strengthening hand muscles and providing proprioceptive input.
The third recipe involves using white glue, water, borax, and food coloring. Mix the glue and water together in a separate bowl and dissolve the borax in hot water. Combine the two mixtures and add food coloring to achieve the desired color. This putty is a great stress reliever and provides excellent sensory input.
| Recipe | Ingredients | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Glue-Based Putty | White school glue, baking soda, corn starch, contact lens solution | Stress relief, finger dexterity |
| Cornstarch and Lotion Putty | Cornstarch, lotion | Hand muscle strengthening, proprioceptive input |
| Borax-Based Putty | White glue, water, borax | Stress relief, sensory input |
These DIY therapy putties can be used in occupational therapy sessions, at home, or in the classroom. They are a great tool for engaging kids and promoting fine motor skills development. You can even hide small objects in the putty to enhance the sensory experience and challenge their fine motor skills. So why wait? Start making your own therapy putty today and see the positive impact it can have on hand strength, finger coordination, and sensory exploration.
Can Therapy Putty Help Remove Slime Stains from Clothes?
Therapy putty is not typically designed for stain removal. However, when it comes to dealing with slime stains on clothes, therapy putty can be quite handy. Start by gently scraping off any excess slime. Apply a small amount of therapy putty directly onto the stain and rub it in using circular motions. After that, wash the clothing item as usual. This method can help alleviate the persistent issue of how to remove slime from clothes effectively.
Conclusion
Homemade therapy putty is a simple and effective way to support fine motor skills and provide sensory input, making it an invaluable tool for occupational therapists, educators, and parents alike. With three different recipes to choose from, you can easily make your own therapy putty at home using common household ingredients.
The first recipe utilizes white school glue, baking soda, corn starch, and contact lens solution. This putty can be customized with gel food color and glitter for extra fun and sensory play. The second recipe combines cornstarch and lotion, offering the option to add food coloring and essential oils to enhance sensory engagement. The third recipe involves using white glue, water, borax, and food coloring to create a stress-relieving therapy putty.
These DIY therapy putties are not only cost-effective but also highly versatile. They can be used to strengthen hand muscles, improve fine motor skills, and provide sensory input. Additionally, you can customize the putties with different colors and even hide small objects within them for added engagement and exploration.
By incorporating homemade therapy putty into daily activities, occupational therapists, educators, and parents can provide a fun and engaging way for individuals to develop and improve fine motor skills, while also receiving sensory input. So why wait? Start making your own therapy putty today and unlock the countless benefits it offers!
FAQ
Q: Can therapy putty be used by children of all ages?
A: Yes, therapy putty can be used by children of all ages. However, adult supervision is recommended for younger children to ensure safe play.
Q: How long does therapy putty last?
A: The longevity of therapy putty depends on how frequently it is used and how well it is cared for. With proper storage in an airtight container, therapy putty can last for several months.
Q: Can therapy putty be used by individuals with sensory sensitivities?
A: Yes, therapy putty can be used by individuals with sensory sensitivities. It can provide a calming and tactile experience when used correctly. However, it is always important to consider individual sensory preferences and adjust usage accordingly.
Q: Is therapy putty safe to use?
A: Therapy putty is generally safe to use. However, it should not be ingested and should be kept away from the mouth. Individuals with allergies to any of the ingredients should avoid using therapy putty recipes that contain those specific ingredients.
Q: Can therapy putty be stored for future use?
A: Yes, therapy putty can be stored for future use. It should be stored in an airtight container to prevent drying out. If the putty becomes too dry or hard, a small amount of lotion or water can be added to restore its texture.
Q: How often should therapy putty be used?
A: The frequency of therapy putty usage depends on individual needs and goals. Occupational therapists may recommend specific usage protocols based on the therapeutic objectives and progress of the individual.
Q: Can therapy putty help with stress relief?
A: Yes, therapy putty can be used as a stress relief tool. The repetitive hand movements involved in manipulating therapy putty can help promote relaxation and reduce feelings of stress.
Q: Can therapy putty be used for individuals with hand injuries?
A: Yes, therapy putty can be used for individuals with hand injuries. It can be an effective tool for strengthening hand muscles and improving range of motion during the rehabilitation process.
