Playdough Alternatives?

[Leigh]

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]

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

[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.

[Annalee]

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!

[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.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

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

[melilley]

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..

[Rockgirl]

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!

[Leigh]

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).

[Leigh]

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?

[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

[taylorw1210]

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?

[daycare]

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

http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/best-ever-no-cook-play-dough-recipe.html

[Unregistered]

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.

[Blackcat31]

http://www.playdoughrecipe.com

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