The History of Play-Doh sets
Originally a wallpaper cleaner invented by brothers Noah W. McVicker and Joseph S. McVicker, Play-Doh was introduced to schools in the Cincinnati area in 1955 because McVicker’s sister-in-law asked if it was a safe alternative to modeling clay. Play-Doh was an instant hit and soon the McVicker brothers formed Rainbow Crafts Company to produce and sell their product. Additionally, the brothers showcased their modeling clay at a National Education Convention and the word spread to the big department stores, Macy’s and Marshall Fields. Soon after, Play-Doh was a national hit.
Advertising played a crucial role in the success of Play-Doh. Captain Kangaroo, a very popular educator of young children at the time, endorsed Play-Doh. So did Miss Frances from the Ding Dong School, another popular children’s television show. In 1960, a character named Play-Doh-Pete, a young boy with a beret was introduced to the advertising campaign. Additionally, the Fun Factory Accessory Playset was added to the product line, which allowed children to squeeze the material into interesting shapes and molds, furthering sales and development of the product.
The ingredients for Play-Doh, to this day, remain a closely guarded secret. But it is primarily made up of a mixture of water, wheat flour, deodorized kerosene (or some other petroleum distillate to provide the smooth texture), salt, a drying agent such as borax (which deters mold), an alum-based hardening agent, colorings and perfume.
Best Play-Doh sets for Children with Autism
1. Play-Doh Slime Super Stretch Multipack for Kids 3 Years and Up
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Play-Doh Slime Super Stretch compound is a fun sensory toy for kids 3 years and up to stretch their imaginations. With neon orange and lime green, this set comes with plenty of color including hot pink, metallic purple, blue, and metallic yellow. Squish it, squeeze it, and pull it as far as you can! These colors are premade (no messy mixing required) and always quality-tested.
2. Educational Insights Playfoam Combo 8-Pack, Fidget, Sensory Toy, Valentine’s Day Gift
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Preschoolers are free to express their creativity, with squishy, squashy Playfoam that never dries out! Just squish up the Playfoam, shape it however you like, then squash it back down and start all over again. Just squish up the Playfoam, shape it however you like, then squash it back down and start all over again. Playfoam is the perfect learning compound for classrooms and home sensory bins where toddlers & preschoolers can dig, discover, and develop fine motor skills. Safe and non-toxic Playfoam makes a great gift to sculpt squishy, squashy creations anywhere and any time! Playfoam never dries out, so the creativity never ends.
3. Play-Doh Paw Patrol Rescue Rolling Chase Toy Police
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Paw Patrol activity set for kids 3 and up inspires them to imagine their rescue missions with a squishy, colorful Play-Doh compound!
4. Modeling Clay Kit – Air Dry Ultra Light Magic Clay, Soft & Stretchy DIY Molding Clay with Tools
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his air dry clay designed to be easy to use for everyone, and commonly referred to as kids modeling clay, our air dry clay kit is the ideal arts and crafts activity for kids and adults alike! 24 modeling clay in 24 colors, a project booklet, 3 small tools, and 34 animal accessories to help with shaping and decorating. Boost your little one’s creativity, and help them develop motor skills and enhance eye-hand coordination; They’ll be busy with these sculpting clay-making accessories all day while engaging in fun, sensory play.
5. Aroma Dough Lavender Therapy Dough – Relax Essential Oil Clay Dough – Gluten-Free & Non-Allergenic – Child & Adult Therapy Tools – Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Kids learn and explore the best in their early childhood with activities that engage their senses. At Aroma Dough, we believe in creating some of the most enjoyable sensory experiences for kids by not just engaging their sense of touch, but their sense of smell too. We have taken a step further to make the playdough not just an engaging activity for kids, but also a relaxing one! While there are many complicated sensory recipes available, we prefer to keep things as simple, natural, and safe as possible when introducing play dough to growing little minds.
6. Play-Doh Foam 9-Pack Bundle of Modeling Foam for Kids 3 Years and Up, Non-Toxic
The fun of foam wherever you roam! This Play-Doh Foam multipack for kids 3 years and up comes with 9 cans of squishy compound infused with tiny foam beads, and each can come in a variety of colors like green, blue, red, purple, orange, and more. Each color is a delightful mix of squishy yet firm, and relaxing yet exciting.
It’s a satisfying foam experience that feels great in your hands, and the bright colors are fun to look at, too. Poke it, shape it, squeeze it as hard as you can – this modeling foam keeps the shape you mold! This bundle pack of 4-ounce cans is perfect for kid’s party favors, play dates, arts and crafts for kids, or a gift for any kid who loves the squishy fun of play foam.
7. Play-Doh Compound Corner Variety 6 Pack – Slime, Cloud, Krackle, Stretch, Foam
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Ooey gooey fun for kids – get ready for a different Play-Doh experience! This range of Play-Doh compounds makes fun gifts for kids 3 years and older, party favors, or prize box toys. So many oddly satisfying textures – with varieties like classic, crackle, and Super Cloud, kids can squeeze, stretch, and squish as much as they wish!
8. Educational Insights Playfoam Shape & Learn 4-Pack, Learn Letters, Numbers, Counting & Shapes
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Practice important preschool skills with sensory-stimulating Playfoam! With 4 sets, each including 13 double-sided learning cards, the learning never ends! Kids simply squish, squash, smash, and shape the non-toxic Playfoam to match the shape, letter, number, or animal on the card, building fine motor skills as they play.
When they’re done, Playfoam is perfect for totally tactile freeform shaping and sculpting. Best of all, Playfoam never dries out so kids can practice again and again. Playfoam makes a great stocking stuffer for kids & teens. Playfoam is the perfect gift for boys and girls ages 3-6.
9. Educational Insights Playfoam Fidget & Sensory Toy, Travel Toy
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Preschoolers are free to express their creativity, with squishy, squashy Playfoam that never dries out! Just squish up the Playfoam, shape it however you like, then squash it back down and start all over again. Sculpt anywhere! Playfoam is non-toxic and never dries out so the creative fun never ends.
The travel-friendly carrying case lets you take it with you on the plane, car, train, or anywhere. Bring it along when you sit in waiting rooms or at restaurants to pass the time. The experts at Educational Insights have developed FREE printables and activities using Playfoam to keep the fun (and learning!) going for hours and hours.
10. Educational Insights Playfoam Pals Space Fidget, Sensory Toy, Gift for Boys & Girls
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Astronauts and out-of-this-world creatures are hiding inside each Playfoam Pals Space Squad rocket ship and UFO! Dig through the special, starry, Playfoam space mix to find your Pal, two surprise space accessories, and a glow-in-the-dark Playfoam core hidden inside – then use the Playfoam to sculpt everything your Pal needs to survive in space.
Playfoam is non-toxic and never dries out so the cosmic creativity never ends. Plus, squishing and squashing with Playfoam develop imagination, social skills, fine motor skills, and more. Collect all of the Space Squad Pals to build a stellar space scene! Playfoam makes a great stocking stuffer for kids & teens.
11. Play-Doh Sweet Shoppe Cookie Creations
Everything you need to feel like you’re in a real cookie bakery. Includes 4 cutters to create circle, square, star, and heart-shaped Play-Doh cookies. Textured rolling pin lets you add fun patterns. Press pretend frosting with the extruder and create make-believe sandwich cookies including a tray, roller, 2-piece extruder, 4 cutters, spatula, and 5 cans of Play-Doh Sets.
