Invitation to Create Monsters with Loose Parts & Play-dough

This week, we read How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace — a fun, heartwarming story about a brave young ninja who decides to face the monster hiding in his closet. What begins as a tale of fear transforms into one of courage and discovery, reminding us all that things aren’t always as scary as they seem.

To extend this story beyond the pages, we invited the children to design their very own monsters using play-dough and loose parts. Our tinker trays were filled with an array of creative materials — feathers, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, craft sticks, pom poms, vampire teeth, creepy fingers, and twisty ties — along with Colorations® Neon Dough for an extra pop of color.

As the children rolled, squished, and shaped their play-dough, their imaginations came alive! Each monster told its own story — some silly, some spooky, and all wonderfully unique. Through this process, the children weren’t just creating art; they were building connections to the story, expressing emotions, and exploring new ideas through hands-on play.

Play-dough is a staple of early childhood education for good reason. It engages all the senses, strengthens fine motor skills, and supports early language, literacy, math, and science development. When paired with loose parts, it becomes an even more powerful tool — offering endless opportunities for open-ended exploration and creativity.

By integrating sensory materials with storytelling, children deepen their comprehension and make personal connections to what they read. Each squish, twist, and imaginative creation becomes a bridge between story and self — turning a simple literacy extension into a rich, multi-sensory learning experience.