Modeling Dough

Science of Modeling Dough

In this little activity, you will explore how different states of matter, solid and liquid, can be mixed together to create your very own modeling dough! You can then use the power of your imagination to create a unique sculpture. Science and art…who could ask for anything more?

Here’s What You Need

• 2 tbsp of warm water
• 4 tbsp of flour
• 1 tbsp of cornstarch
• 1 tbsp of salt
• 1 tbsp of vegetable oil
• Measuring cups
• Two larger bowls
• Food coloring
• Mixing Spoons

Here’s What You Do

Bowl 1: Place 2 tbsp warm water in one of the cups. Add a few drops of food coloring. Add one tbsp of salt to the water and stir it until it dissolves.

Bowl 2: Mix 4 tbsp of flour, 1 tbsp of cornstarch, and one tbsp of vegetable oil in the empty cup.

Add the contents of Cup 1 (salty water) to Cup 2. Use your fingers to knead the mixture. After a little while, you should have a nice clump of modeling dough. Use your imagination to mold your dough into an interesting sculpture.

Note: Store your modeling dough in a plastic bag or leave it out to let your sculpture dry and harden.

Here are some questions to think about as you play with your modeling dough.

• What does it feel like?
• Is the dough like any of the starting ingredients? Why or why not? How is this substance different?
• What would happen if we left out the water? Oil? Flour?
• What do you think would happen if we added an extra cup of flour? How do you think we could find out?
• Do you think that each of the parts or ingredients that we added was important?
• Do you see, smell, or feel any evidence of the original parts?
• Do you think that we could divide the play dough back to the original ingredients? Why or why not?

The Science Behind The Modeling Dough

In this activity, you took several different ingredients and mixed them together to create something new. Some of the ingredients were solids; flour, salt, and cornstarch. Others were liquids; vegetable oil, water, and food coloring. Each of these individual ingredients played a very important part in creating the modeling dough. Scientists use their understanding of the ways that different materials interact with each other to create new and exciting things all the time! For example, if you look at the labels on some of the food around your home, you might find that it is actually made of many different ingredients…mixed together!

Wondershop Fast Fact

One of the most famous types of modeling dough is Play-Doh. Here are some interesting facts about this amazing toy!

• Play-Doh was created in 1956 by Noah W. McVicker and Joseph S. McVicker in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• The original Play-Doh was available in one color and size, an off-white, 1 ½ pound can. In 1957, three new colors were added to the line; red, yellow, and blue. Today, it is available in 21 colors.
• Originally Play-Doh was developed as a wallpaper cleaning compound.
• The Play-Doh boy, featured on every can of Play-Doh®, was created in 1960. His name… Play-Doh Pete.