Banana Scented Pie Dough {12 Months of Sensory Dough}

Yes, PIE dough!

We made banana scented pie dough for banana cream pies.

See, we are supposed to put our own "spin" on the dough of the month for 12 Months of Sensory Dough, and I was having a hard time coming up with something original. We are reading Goodnight Gorilla, so I knew I wanted a dough that was banana scented. In trying to decide what kind of "dough" I wanted to use, I thought literally - dough as in bread or pastry dough. And I like practical, so Scented Pie Dough it was!

I started with a simple flaky crust recipe made from flour, a little sweetener, cold butter, and cold water. And while it was mixing, I added banana extract. Then I showed the kids how to roll it out to make a pie crust. They trimmed their pie crusts and rolled and played with the remaining pie dough.










After the pie crusts were baked and cooled, they each made their own little banana cream pie with bananas and homemade banana pudding.












What I liked about this sensory dough experience is that it taught them how to use dough in a real way. It taught them how to roll dough flat and thin for a pie, place it into the pie pan, then stretch and pinch to make a pie crust. Bo even made a mini pie crust (in a muffin cup) with the leftover dough for his free play time. Then they sliced bananas, scooped pudding, and sprinkled sprinkles to make their very own pies ~ all very important life skills, right? :)

Of course, we talked through this process to enhance Bo's language skills. Did you know that sensory play can enhance language skills ~ visit Amy @ Wildflower Ramblings to see how!  It has become second nature since Bo began speech therapy that I often don't even think about it anymore. What is wonderful is that Bo is repeating almost everything I say now (or at least trying!) I say a word, he repeats it, and I say "yes!" and repeat the word stressing any syllables that he missed - eventually he will get it.



This post is a part of the Best of the Best Sensory Doughs: 12 Months of Sensory Dough!  On the 12th of each month, we will share a different sensory dough.

My co-hosts:

Do you have a post on Scented Dough that you’d like to share? Please read the guidelines @ Lemon Lime Adventures and link up below!






I'll see you next month for Moon Sand!

9 comments

  1. Oh Michelle, I LOVE the life skills taught in this. Your idea to use a literal dough was genius! My daughter is really into helping in the kitchen right now and wants to independently make her own sandwiches and such, and she would think this was the coolest thing ever to make her very own pie!! :)

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  2. How fun! And educational too! Those are important skills to learn.

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  3. It looks so good, and since not much looks good to me right now, that's really saying something! Can I come play and at eat at your house for the next few months? I promise I'll love everything you make. :) That was such a great idea to teach them real pie making.

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  4. Now THIS is my type of playdoh! Sweet playtime fun.

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  5. What a creative idea, Michelle! I would love love love to try this with my kids -- what amazing real world and practical life lesson -- beautiful pictures as always :)

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  6. Thank you, Rachel! It was a blessing to think of it at the LAST MINUTE! I was having a hard time coming up with something! I really think they enjoyed it!

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  7. Thank you, Abby! I think they felt so grown up making a real pie! And yes! I so wish I could have you over! It would be so nice. :)

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  8. :) I wish I could be this practical all the time!

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