A Play-Doh Activity that Teaches Patience to Kids

This character-building lesson is a play-doh activity that teaches patience to kids. Kids learn through fun. When teaching character to kids, I like to use a variety of learning experiences. This lesson on patience focuses on music (building into auditory learning) as well as hands-on experience (accommodating tactile learners).

Want more lessons on patience? Check out this collective of 20 different ideas for teaching patience.

Character Building Series

Welcome to my character-building education series where we work on 52 traits throughout the year. 52 traits? Yes! That is one character-building trait for every single week of the year.

More good news! Each trait comes with over a week’s worth of lessons. You could work on character with your kids every single day of the year if you choose to follow along.

This character-building activity focuses on patience. Here is our initial lesson in patience. If following the series, always do that lesson first. Click here for all of my lessons on patience.

This lesson introduces kids to Herbert the Snail and the benefits of having patience.

A Play-Doh Activity that Teaches Patience to Kids

While this series is written by a Christian mom, there are lessons available no matter what your faith. If you believe it is important to teach your kids patience, you are in the right place.

Subject: Patience

Objective: Through song and a hands-on activity, kids will learn that we should be patient because God and others are patient with us. Patience is beneficial in our relationships.

PATIENCE VERSE

“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV

The scripture above is the memory verse for our character-building week about patience. Work daily on this verse so kids can commit it to memory, thus writing the Word of the Lord in their hearts.

Ask:

Why is patience important?
Can you think of a time someone had to be patient with you?

Sing:

I get to introduce you to a song I grew up singing. There was a cassette series we had called “The Music Machine.” Are you old enough to remember cassettes? Well, I am! I loved this collection of songs and stories and would listen to it often.

As a result, my kids learned a portion of the “Be Patient” song as they grew, as I would sing it when they were getting impatient.

In this lesson, you can watch this video with your kids and begin to learn from Herbert the Snail about the value of being patient. I’d encourage you to play this song on repeat for a bit so your kids can start to memorize it.

VIDEO THAT TEACHES PATIENCE TO KIDS

Play-Doh Activity that Teaches Patience

Now that you have met Herbert the Snail, it’s time to create your own snails. Listen to the music while you do so. Through creativity and hands-on experience, kids will set Herbert’s story on patience in their memories.

We used clay to build our snails, but Play-Doh is a perfectly wonderful medium as well (Amazon affiliate links). On Amazon, they are comparable in price, so if your kids have never worked with clay, it might be an exciting new experience for them.

How to Make a Snail out of Clay or Play-Doh

Have kids roll out one long snake and one short snake. Kids might need help learning how to roll a snake.
Take the long snake and roll it up so you have a snail shell. You can squish the snake a bit flatter if you want. It makes it easier to attach to the body and creates stability.
Place your rolled shell on top of your shorter rolled piece of clay or Play-Doh. Squish down a bit to get them to adhere together.
Add antennas and eyes by making two tiny snakes and two tiny eyes.

Kids can use their creations to re-create the story of Herbert the Snail. You can make ants and beetles to help tell the story as the song plays.

I hope this lesson on patience is fun for your family and instills this character trait in your children’s hearts. This lesson can be used in homes, Sunday School classes, or in Christian education.