What Play Dough Age is Suitable for Kids?

Play dough is a classic childhood toy that can provide hours of fun for kids. But What Play Dough Age is Suitable for Kids to start playing with it? And what are the benefits of play dough? Keep reading to find out!

• How to Make Play Dough?

19 Important Play Dough Age Questions Parents Ask?

Do many parents question the best age for play dough? Do they ask about what age to introduce play dough? If you want to give your child play-doh, you will also have some similar questions in your mind like:

So, we have complied the 17 most important Play Dough Age Questions and Answers:

5 Reason Why You Should Wait till a Child Is 2 Years old to use Playdoh?

There are several reasons why it is recommended to wait until a child is 2 years old to introduce playdough. Here are the top 5 reasons:

1. Verbal understanding:

At two years old, children are better able to understand and follow verbal cues, such as “don’t throw the play-doh,” “don’t put it up to your nose,” or “don’t feed it to the dog.”

2. Allergic reactions:

Commercial play-doh is typically made with wheat-based ingredients, while some homemade recipes may include honey, peanut butter, or other ingredients that a child under one year of age has not yet tried.

It is important to determine if a child may have an allergic reaction to these ingredients before introducing play-doh.

3. Developmental appropriateness:

Children under two years old may not have the cognitive ability or creativity to fully enjoy or benefit from playing with play-doh.

An alternative activity for younger children is felt bags, which offer similar tactile stimulation and promote creativity.

4. Choking hazard:

Play-doh poses a choking hazard as it can be easily inhaled or swallowed, potentially causing blockages in the airways or digestive system.

In rare cases, it may also cause an allergic reaction. Store-bought play-doh is typically recommended for children two years and older, while homemade modeling clay is generally safe for children five years and older.

Harder modeling clays should be avoided for younger children as they pose a greater choking hazard.

5. Developmental readiness:

Children under two years old may not have the cognitive ability or attention span to fully enjoy playing with play-doh. Alternatives such as felt bags can provide similar tactile stimulation and promote motor skills.

5 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Play-Doh!

There are several things that must be considered before giving Play-Doh to your little one. To stay safe, keep these 5 things in mind when the playdough was bought for your little one.

1. Make Sure the Product Is Original.

Play-Doh is not a type of toy but a brand name, so you also have to make sure it’s authentic. Play-Doh is made of safe ingredients for your little one, and these are listed on the packaging.

To be safe in the hands of your little one, choose the original product because many sell fake products. The price is much cheaper, but the ingredients for making the playdough are not listed. In addition, the texture is not as soft as the original Play-Doh.

2. Pay Attention to the Child’s Age When Buying Play Doh.

It is generally recommended to wait until a child is at least 2 years old before giving them Play-Doh to play with. At this age, children are less likely to put objects in their mouth and have a better understanding of verbal cues.

While Play-Doh is considered safe, it’s important to keep an eye on young children while they are playing with it and to ensure that the surface and molds being used are clean. It’s also important to remind children not to eat the Play-Doh and to keep it away from their face.

3. Customize the Play Doh Theme to Your Toddler’s Abilities.

Play Doh is a children’s toy that is used to create different shapes and designs. The Play Doh theme is popular for birthday parties because it is fun and creative. You can make cakes, cupcakes, and other decorations out of Play Doh.

Here is 5 Play-Doh Themes to introduce to your child:

• Halloween
• Christmas
• Easter
• Pirates
• Princesses

If you are just about to introduce Play-Doh to your toddler, you should not buy complicated Play-Doh activities.

Start with plain Play-Doh, which is packaged in a yellow bucket and has the primary colors of red, blue, and yellow.

With this Play-Doh, you can introduce a variety of colors to your small ones. Then, when your toddler is older, you can submit various figures such as animals, plants and themes to them.

4. Prepare Some Containers to Store Play-Doh.

Be prepared for messy home conditions when inviting your small ones to enjoy play-doh. For that, prepare several storage containers in addition to the original Play-Doh container.

You see, when not being played, Play-Doh must be stored in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

5. Invite Toddlers to Play in Specific Scenarios.

That is, don’t just form various objects with Play-Doh without an exciting story behind it. Boost your toddler’s creativity by developing short scenarios with Play-Doh.

For example, make the impression that a toddler is visiting the zoo, then what animals he sees. After that, invite him to form the animal from Play-Doh.

Young children can benefit from working with homemade play dough in many ways. It allows them to develop their creativity, and it can be a fun activity for both children and parents to do together.

The close physical contact and interaction with the dough can also help to improve fine motor skills.

Another advantage of homemade play dough is that it is typically more compact and less prone to breaking into small pieces, making it less likely for children to put it in their mouths.

4 Easy ways to have fun with Playdough.

There are many fun ways to enjoy playing with Play-Doh. Below are four of our favorites.

1. Numbers and Letters.

Play-doh toys come in many forms and editions like numbers and letters. You usually get several prints according to the numbers and letters when you buy.

You can invite kids to make numbers and letters following the mold. Then let your little one learn to sort the numbers from small to large and do the same with the letters.

This method helps them recognize numbers and letters quickly. Kids can learn in a fun way without getting hung up on books and stationery alone.

Mothers can also invite their little ones to compose sentences using the candle game.

2. Extruder Series Toys.

This toy is perfect for you to take with you everywhere. Kids can even invite their friends to enjoy themselves together.

This extruder edition is equipped with various types of molds that make it easier for Kids to imagine forming patterns according to their wishes.

In one package, you usually get several colors. The child can choose what color he likes and shape it according to his innovation.

The advantage of this edition is that it frees Kids to be creative without limits.

3. Create a scene with the playdough.

Playdough is a great way to get creative with your kids. It can be molded into any shape and can be decorated with paint, glitter, beads, and more. Here are 5 theme ideas for playdough fun:

• Zoo: Create animals out of playdough and place them in a zoo-themed playset.
• Beach: Make sandcastles, seashells, and other beach-themed items using playdough.
• Farm: Create a barnyard scene with hay bales, fences, and farm animals made out of playdough.
• Superheroes: Mold playdough into superheroes and villains to save or destroy the world.
• Princesses: Transform your child into a beautiful princess with a magical castle made of playdough.

4. Animal Play-Doh ideas.

• Zoo animals: With this theme, you can create all sorts of animals with playdough. lions, tigers, bears (oh my!), elephants, monkeys, and more.
• Farm animals: Create farm animals with this theme by using different shades of brown for the dough. Cow, sheep, pig, chicken, and horse are just a few options.
• Ocean creatures: This theme is perfect for summertime fun. Create sea creatures like fish, crabs, turtles, and dolphins with blue or green playdough.

8 ways Play-doh support the growth and development

Playing is one of the fun activities for kids and can even support the growth and development of their brain’s in various aspects. If you want to know the benefits of playing with play dough, we have summarized it this time.

• Play dough is an alternative game that can develop various essential skills for your little one.
• Playdough is another, more modern form of clay game.
• Although it seems simple, it turns out that playing with playdough can increase your little one’s growth and development in a positive direction.

Find out the positive impact of playing with play dough on your little one below!

1. Improve Children’s Creativity and Imagination.

The world of kids is full of creativity and is daring to try many things to become a creative person. 

According to the National Association for the Education of Young one, kids who enjoy playdough will teach them to think symbolically.

In this case, the child will also learn to recognize new forms of something with what he has made. As a parent, you need to know that playing playdough can be a place to increase your little one’s creativity and innovation.

Kids can form dough into a new shape from play dough, such as flowers, food, animals, or various other conditions. Playdough is slowly able to encourage some of the child’s abilities to explore the world’s power of creativity and innovation. So let it be and continue to assist.

2. Works Fine Motor Skills.

Fine motor skills will be more skilled if you continue to train. There is no need to use or give expensive games to hone fine motor skills because this can be obtained by playing play dough.

This colorful game makes your little one more familiar with textures, making it suitable for kids honing their fine motor skills.

In addition, several activities such as rolling, squeezing, and cutting playdough into small pieces can hone their skills.

When you playdough regularly, this game can help you develop various abilities, such as controlling your hands and picking up objects around you agilely.

3. Stimulate Your Senses.

Soften and heat a block of clay with the hands, knead it, make sticks, round it, and squash it.

Manipulating the clay allows the child to discover, through touch, a wide variety of geometric shapes and textures.

But making playdough also stimulates other senses, such as sight (through colors, for example). The smell sense in also, because the smell of play dough is lovely, pleasant, and something that we usually remember all our lives.

4. Provide a Place to Express Their Emotions.

Every child has a different character because everything can’t be the same. Not infrequently, kids can still express their own emotions, so they need help through various alternatives, including games.

Play with playdough by squeezing it will undoubtedly be very helpful because it can calm his feelings. He even needs to know that this game can provide one option to express his emotions. 

If you want to make play dough safe for kids, it’s a good idea to make your own. You don’t have to worry because only wheat flour and food coloring. You can enjoy playdough which is safe for kids.

5. Able to Develop Eye-Hand Coordination.

In going through the golden age, parents need to help the development of their little one’s eye and hand coordination in carrying out various positive activities

One of which is playing play dough. Playing play dough not only helps improve your little one’s fine motor skills but also develops eye-hand coordination.

The eyes and hands will coordinate in forming a particular shape, even though they are only developing something simple.

6. It Will Help You Feel Good.

When the child plays and stimulates their imagination, the body will release endorphins that will provide happiness and well-being.

Other neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and dopamine, which will help improve their mood but also promote their development.

7. Able to Improve Language and Literacy Skills.

Giving a play dough game to your little one without realizing it can provide positive educational purposes benefits them. While playing, Mama can invite her to discuss recognizing words related to the texture of play dough. Introduce and teach your little one to remember chewy, soft, or hard surfaces.

When your child is doing movements by rolling, cutting, and squeezing, then introduce him to the process of forming dough. Even play dough can be a fun game to teach your little one numbers, letters, and colors.

8. Train Children to Learn to Write.

When your child can play dough well, such as grasping with his fingers and forming something, he can slowly use a writing utensil. Even though you may not be too used to it, try to teach your little one to hold a writing utensil and practice writing.

Those are some of the positive benefits that can be obtained when your little one plays playdough.

Frequently Asked Questions Play Dough Age

Are you wondering what the recommended age is for children to start using play dough? Are you curious about the benefits of play dough for children’s development?

We will address these frequently asked questions and provide information on the appropriate age to introduce play dough to children, as well as the developmental benefits of play dough play.

Conclusion about Play Dough Age for Kids

Although the recommended Play Dough Age for a Child is two years, this does not mean that they can enjoy themselves alone.

Constant supervision is needed for the child of this age when playing with play dough, as with any toy that has the potential to cause choking or induce poisoning, no matter how unlikely it may seem.

Every toddler and activity become safer under the watchful eye of parents and understanding the Play Dough Age.

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