Insect & Bug Fossil Play Dough Sensory Play Recipe

If you’re looking for a great fossil play sensory recipe this one is simple and great for birthday parties!

If you guys joined me for my Facebook Live video “The School Project I Saved from 5th Grade!” you’ll see how far back my deep obsession for fossil play and dreaming of archaeology goes! To this day I still hope for the day I can go on a fossil dig, but that’s for another post!

This fossil play dough recipe is easy to make although it does require adult supervision! You can use it with anything – it doesn’t just have to be bugs & insect toys!

Bug Fossil Play Dough Materials

*3 ½ cups Flour
*3 Tbsp. Cream of Tartar
*½ cup Salt
*3 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. Vegetable Oil
*Brown Food Coloring
*2 cups Boiling Water
*Small Plastic Bugs

Bug Fossil Play Dough Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cream of tartar, salt, 3 tablespoons of oil, and the food coloring. I know that a lot of people have a tough time finding cream of tartar or want to buy it in larger quantities for recipes like this. I found a 2 pound bag of cream of tartar that works perfect for sensory recipes!

2. Add in the boiling water and mix well until all combined. This step requires adult supervision.

3. Add in 1 teaspoon of oil and knead the play dough for 1-2 minutes. This is also a good step to add in a drop or two of essential oil if you want for an additional sensory option. Cedarwood is a great earthy option.

toy bugs and insects in fossil play dough

4. Roll small kid-sized fistful chunks of play dough out then flatten with your palm to make flat circle “discs” of dough. Now you’re ready to press different bugs into the play dough to make your own fossils! In fact you can use just about anything to make imprints! Try imprinting:

Leaves
Pinecones
Acorns
Animal tracks
Feathers
Flowers

You can then let your fossil play dough air dry or bake on low in the oven! Don’t worry if cracks appear as your play dough disc dries, that’s the natural process!

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