Playdough Alternatives?

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  • Leigh
    Daycare.com Member
    • Apr 2013
    • 3814

    Playdough Alternatives?

    I have had it with this messy stuff! Does anyone have suggestions on a similar product that doesn't crumble all over the place and doesn't dry out so quickly? I have used air-dry clay, and like it much better, but I am looking for something that is reusable. I'm not interested in homemade, nor in the ones that come in 4 pound tubs (storage issues). I am looking at Play Clay Factory brand and one by Alex Toys...anyone have suggestions?
  • Laurel
    Daycare.com Member
    • Mar 2013
    • 3218

    #2
    I don't understand what you mean that it dries out fast. As long as the lid is put back on after use or homemade is stored in a ziplock bag it keeps for months and months. I stopped doing daycare in June and my granddaughter just used my homemade kind this past weekend and it was fine.

    A little confused....

    Laurel

    Comment

    • daycarediva
      Daycare.com Member
      • Jul 2012
      • 11698

      #3
      Mine doesn't dry out or crumble either. I use homemade or brand name only. I have seen off brands that were gross. Mine tends to be too 'wet/sticky'. It lasts forever and never dries out if the tops are put on after use.

      I use trays (big art or serving style trays) the tools go in a bowl in the middle of the table, and each child picks a color and it stays on their tray. A few stray pieces do end up on the floor, and I let them dry out then vacuum at the end of the day. Works well here.

      Modeling clay is too hard for my kids to shape/manage well. The benefits outweigh the minor mess of it, and it's something the kids chose to play with daily here.

      Comment

      • Annalee
        Daycare.com Member
        • Jul 2012
        • 5864

        #4
        Originally posted by daycarediva
        Mine doesn't dry out or crumble either. I use homemade or brand name only. I have seen off brands that were gross. Mine tends to be too 'wet/sticky'. It lasts forever and never dries out if the tops are put on after use.

        I use trays (big art or serving style trays) the tools go in a bowl in the middle of the table, and each child picks a color and it stays on their tray. A few stray pieces do end up on the floor, and I let them dry out then vacuum at the end of the day. Works well here.

        Modeling clay is too hard for my kids to shape/manage well. The benefits outweigh the minor mess of it, and it's something the kids chose to play with daily here.
        I use brand name as well.....you get what you pay for!

        Comment

        • butterfly
          Daycare.com Member
          • Nov 2012
          • 1627

          #5
          I know you said you didn't want to use homemade... However, it's a fun activity to have the kids help mix it up with you. We did it this week. The kids almost had more fun making it than playing with it. I keep mine in the fridge (mainly for easy access) and the last batch lasted over a year. It was still fine when I threw it out but figured it had enough germs on it by now that I should be thrown out.

          Comment

          • EntropyControlSpecialist
            Embracing the chaos.
            • Mar 2012
            • 7466

            #6
            I NEVER have luck with homemade. Where am I going wrong?!

            Comment

            • melilley
              Daycare.com Member
              • Oct 2012
              • 5155

              #7
              Originally posted by EntropyControlSpecialist
              I NEVER have luck with homemade. Where am I going wrong?!
              I was just going to say this! Every time I make it, I don't even want to play with it..

              Comment

              • Rockgirl
                Daycare.com Member
                • May 2013
                • 2204

                #8
                I make ours, and it lasts for months. I've also bought the scented kind from Discount School Supply, and it lasted quite awhile. We're big on playdough here--couldn't give it up!

                Comment

                • Leigh
                  Daycare.com Member
                  • Apr 2013
                  • 3814

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Laurel
                  I don't understand what you mean that it dries out fast. As long as the lid is put back on after use or homemade is stored in a ziplock bag it keeps for months and months. I stopped doing daycare in June and my granddaughter just used my homemade kind this past weekend and it was fine.

                  A little confused....

                  Laurel
                  I do put the covers on tightly after use, but Play Doh gets lots of use at my house-my own kids might play with it for 2 hours at a time on a weekend...my toddler is obsessed with it. I use the Play Doh Plus because someone told me that is was softer and lasted longer, but I don't see it. I don't like the way that, even when it is still moldable, it crumbles and I end up picking little pieces of Play Doh off the chairs, table, and floor (I often cover the table with freezer paper to help with clean up).

                  I guess I'm looking for something less likely to break into small pieces with more "stretch" to it than Play Doh. Home made? I just don't want to make it-I want to find something that I can buy easily for when I don't have the time to make it (usually).

                  Comment

                  • Leigh
                    Daycare.com Member
                    • Apr 2013
                    • 3814

                    #10
                    Originally posted by butterfly
                    I know you said you didn't want to use homemade... However, it's a fun activity to have the kids help mix it up with you. We did it this week. The kids almost had more fun making it than playing with it. I keep mine in the fridge (mainly for easy access) and the last batch lasted over a year. It was still fine when I threw it out but figured it had enough germs on it by now that I should be thrown out.
                    A YEAR? Would you share that recipe with us, please?

                    Comment

                    • daycare
                      Advanced Daycare.com *********
                      • Feb 2011
                      • 16259

                      #11
                      home made is the best.... it takes a few times to perfect, but when you get it down it is the best dough you can find.....

                      not sticky
                      does not dry out

                      does not crumble

                      easy to clean up.

                      last much longer

                      Comment

                      • taylorw1210
                        Daycare.com Member
                        • Jan 2014
                        • 487

                        #12
                        Originally posted by daycare
                        home made is the best.... it takes a few times to perfect, but when you get it down it is the best dough you can find.....

                        not sticky
                        does not dry out

                        does not crumble

                        easy to clean up.

                        last much longer
                        Care to share the recipe you use?

                        Comment

                        • daycare
                          Advanced Daycare.com *********
                          • Feb 2011
                          • 16259

                          #13
                          Originally posted by taylorw1210
                          Care to share the recipe you use?
                          sure I got it from pinterest....first time I made it, it came out horrible...third time was the charm

                          How to make the best ever, no-cook play dough recipe in just 4 minutes, that will lasts for 6 months!

                          Comment

                          • Unregistered

                            #14
                            This is the recipe I use. It's good for weeks probably longer but I like to make fresh stuff.
                            Kool-Aid Playdough
                            Ingredients:
                            • 1 1/4 cup flour
                            • 1/4 cup salt
                            • 1 pkg unsweetened Kool-aid (just the
                            dry koolaid, don't mix it into juice)
                            • 1 cup boiling water
                            • 1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
                            Directions:
                            1. In a bowl, mix flour, salt and
                            kool-aid.
                            2. Stir in water and oil
                            3. Knead with hands for about 5 minutes.
                            4. Store in ziploc bag for up to 2
                            4. months.
                            5. Use like playdough.
                            6. Smells wonderful and takes on the color
                            of the koolaid.

                            Comment

                            • Blackcat31
                              • Oct 2010
                              • 36124

                              #15


                              Has no cook, cook, scented, colored, glitter, flavored, salt, edible and every other kind/type you can think of!

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