Playing with modeling dough is an enjoyable and imaginative pastime that keeps kids occupied and fosters the development of critical abilities. Little hands can easily mold, squish, and shape it, making it an ideal tool for exploration. Additionally, it gives kids a great chance to use their imaginations to create anything that comes to mind.
Playing with modeling dough has developmental advantages in addition to being enjoyable. Children’s fine motor skills are strengthened as they roll, pinch, and shape the dough. Children’s creativity can be stimulated and their hand-eye coordination enhanced as they come up with new designs and figures to shape.
The best part is that modeling dough is inexpensive and safe for playtime, and it’s easy to make at home with a few staple ingredients. Modeling dough can be a fun and adaptable activity for kids of all ages, whether you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day or to encourage creativity.
What is modeling dough? | A soft, malleable material for children to create shapes and figures. It’s easy to mold and non-toxic. |
Benefits of modeling dough | Develops fine motor skills, boosts creativity, and helps with hand-eye coordination. |
Homemade vs store-bought | Homemade dough is cheaper and customizable, while store-bought dough is convenient and ready to use. |
Recommended age | Children 3 years and older, as younger kids may accidentally put it in their mouths. |
Safety tips | Always supervise play, ensure hands are washed after use, and store dough properly to prevent drying out. |
- How is it different from plasticine?
- Safety
- Density
- Adhesiveness
- Possibility of reuse
- Types
- Colors
- What can be molded?
- What to do if the mass has dried out?
- Manufacturers
- Video on the topic
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How is it different from plasticine?
A common misconception—or just a convenient way to categorize things—is that modeling dough is a kind of plasticine. This mass is substantially dissimilar from plasticine in terms of composition and even application technique. To assist parents who are still in the dark about the differences between the two materials, we will highlight the key differences.
Safety
The first mixture’s composition could theoretically contain anything, even dangerous chemicals that, in the worst situation, could trigger an allergy from mere skin contact.
The density and viscosity of the plasticine itself will be dangerous for the baby, even if the manufacturer makes every effort to make its product entirely from harmless products, because such a lump, rising in the throat, will block the airways.
With the exception of the modeling version, which is colored and strengthened with binders and is likewise safe, the modeling dough is completely safe because its name accurately describes its composition rather than being a metaphor. It makes sense that the dough could even be consumed, but the makers made their product extremely salty because they still think it is preferable to eat something else.
Density
The dough is much softer than plasticine, and does not require any special physical effort for modeling. Plasticine is often distinguished by considerable hardness, and, in a sense, this is its advantage, however, before working with it, it must be kneaded in the hands for a long time, and for the smallest children such a task may generally be beyond their capabilities. Even if the baby can do this, but subject to serious efforts, it is possible that such preliminary preparation will discourage him from any desire to do the actual modeling. The situation is completely different with dough – it does not need to be prepared in any way, it is molded immediately, even by the smallest and weakest hands.
Adhesiveness
Dough does not mold as well as plasticine. This fact is a definite plus in favor of the latter, if the goal is formulated as molding complex crafts that should last a significant amount of time without losing their shape. At the same time, plasticine sticks not only to itself, but also to clothes or furniture, and such stains are difficult to remove. Another thing is dough: even if the child gets dirty, ordinary washing of clothes should give the expected result. It is true that you cannot mold a very complex and durable structure from it, but it is not intended for this – it is more of a trainer for general fine motor skills, designed for rolling balls and "sausages".
Possibility of reuse
Here the advantage is clearly on the side of plasticine – crafts from it can easily be crumpled, and try to mold something else. On the contrary, if the product is successful, it can be stored for a long time, carefully protecting it from heat. Unfortunately, the dough does not have such properties – in the open air it hardens within a few hours (no more than a day), and it does not matter whether the child managed to make something interesting from it or not; for this reason, after each use, the mixture must be urgently hidden in sealed jars, in which it is sold. However, even such a precaution will not save the mass, since it is still sometimes taken out, at least for a short time, so that it usually loses elasticity within a month. In addition, even finished and hardened products made from it are not very durable, and over time they can crumble; their "repair", as in the case of plasticine products, is impossible.
Put another way, considering that the dough is safe enough to quell a child’s curiosity, all the qualities point to it being the ideal present for a child under 4 years old’s creativity. Regarding the impossibility of making something substantial and long-lasting out of it, this is not an issue because children aren’t yet able to produce works of art.
Types
While it is hard for the uninformed to comprehend how basic items like dough meant only for modeling can be categorized, producers have thoughtfully designed an entire line of these products. These kinds of mixtures are specifically categorized based on their density and composition:
- Jelly or silk dough. This variety is the softest of all, since it contains real jelly. Of course, there is relatively little of this ingredient in the bucket, so such a substance is no more edible than all other types, but it is optimal for rolling primitive forms at a very early age;
- Elastic dough. Perhaps the most common option is that it is prepared at home by those mothers who believe that there is no need to buy something that can be made independently. It is already a little thicker, but it is still very easy to mold, and it holds its shape much better than the previous version. Interesting fact: there is only half as much salt here as the main ingredient – flour;
- Hard dough. Naturally, it is also plastic, but it already requires a certain amount of effort to work with, due to its higher density (due to an even higher percentage of salt in the composition). Due to its properties, this material is recommended for use by children who have already reached the age of 3 years, but in terms of its ability to hold its shape, it already vaguely resembles soft types of ordinary plasticine.
Manufacturers understand that they can face huge competition not even from other enterprises, but from mothers themselves, who are able to make an analogue at home, so they strive to make their products as interesting as possible – one that you cannot reproduce with your own hands. For this, they create special sets with molds and tools for modeling, which allows the child not only to roll abstract sausages, but also in one movement to create something like a three-dimensional medal with a complex image or a relatively simple figurine. Such sets have a clear connection to a certain theme, interesting for modern children. Play sets for girls and boys differ: the former have a predominant theme of princesses and fairies, the latter, of course, are closer to various heroic characters.
Colors
Manufacturers often make multicolored dough to pique children’s interest in the modeling process. Modeling dough loses all of its purpose if it is not colored with natural dyes that are safe for human consumption. On the other hand, in certain instances, you can also find a standard white mixture on the shelves; in this instance, the creators anticipate that parents will color the mass any color they deem appropriate, or even multiple colors.
Simultaneously, the color spectrum of modeling dough is not as extensive as that of plasticine. Sometimes, parents must select the desired shades from the assortment and buy each jar separately for such a substance, which isn’t even always sold in sets. This method is brought on by colored dough’s low density, which mixes easily and makes it challenging to form a two-color figure out of it. Instead, the baby is more likely to receive a mushy shade of color that is incomprehensible due to the dyes mixing together.
What can be molded?
To be quite honest, softer modeling dough types are usually best suited for horizontal creativity; otherwise, you end up with a silhouette that lies on the table and becomes undefined when you try to lift it vertically. Hard dough works best for fully realized modeling of intricate figures, but even in this case, you shouldn’t rely too heavily on the product’s remarkable strength and durability. When it comes to soft varieties, it’s usually best to purchase them right away with molds; that way, even the tiniest and most incapable child will get a simple toy, which is still preferable to regular balls and sausages.
If you have hard dough, you can expand your imagination a little, but remember that you will still have to give up complex details. On the Internet, you can find photos of real masterpieces created from dough, however, they were not created by 3-4 year old children, but by adults, and not just any, but by professionals from the world of art. Of course, parents are not forbidden to help the child in the process of creating a figurine, but the main goal of the dough is not to create a masterpiece, but to develop fine motor skills, so the child should do the main work himself, even if the end result is not particularly impressive. To prevent the little one from being deeply disappointed, try to select the plots for modeling in such a way that their implementation is not a task of great complexity – it is best that the finished sculpture is a combination of slightly improved balls and sausages.
When it comes to common and popular themes among kids, animals—like a puppy or a calf, for example—are most likely in the lead. You could also theoretically make a small person in this manner, but in a time when dolls and other toys resemble your favorite cartoon characters to the greatest extent possible, a child is unlikely to find delight in the resulting abstraction, which most likely only vaguely resembles a person. To help your child learn, you can give him complete creative control, but this is a better option if your child demonstrates a strong interest in the task at hand.
To pique a child’s interest in modeling who is otherwise uninterested, you will need to demonstrate to him that modeling can yield an appealing outcome, which implies that adult assistance is necessary. It’s best to pre-agree with the child that he will do what he does best, which is make balls and sausages, and that you will use those to assemble the finished toy. If the project is still fairly complex, you can also make more intricate parts.
A boy will probably also be interested in the idea of making a boat with his own hands. In principle, due to the lack of almost any details, the result will not be a boat, but something like a boat – such a task can be entrusted to independent execution, since there is nothing complicated in it. At the same time, do not forget that if you can still fully play with molded animals, then the boat is not applicable on the water, and for two reasons at once: it is unlikely to have a correctly distributed weight so as not to capsize, and if water gets in, the modeling dough becomes unusable.
A creative, educational, and entertaining activity that fosters children’s fine motor skills, creativity, and sensory awareness is modeling dough. It’s simple to make at home using basic ingredients, giving kids an affordable and safe way to explore their creativity while learning through play. Using modeling dough to create animals, letters, or abstract designs promotes active play and aids in the development of young children.
What to do if the mass has dried out?
If the modeling dough is not tightly sealed in a jar, it can dry out in a matter of hours. Even with careful storage, though, after about a month it starts to lose its elasticity and crack when you try to give it a complicated shape. Hardened products made from it also start to crumble, even under their own weight. Many parents are curious about how to get the substance back to working order in this regard.
Only the best examples of modeling dough allow for restoration after drying, which is not the case with the vast majority of varieties. In contrast to inorganic substances, organic ones typically cannot be changed back into their original state. For instance, while frozen ice can be used to create water again, dried dough cannot be used to create a wet egg or an omelet to create a raw egg.
Some manufacturers have provided for such a possibility, but only under one condition – if the dough has not yet completely dried out and remains soft inside. If the mixture is ordinary, then water will wash out the dyes and adhesives from it, resulting in an incomprehensible jelly that now does not hold together at all. The best examples contain binders that are not washed out by water, so you can try to restore them. To do this, hold the mass under running water (but do not lower it into a container with water), and when you see that it has softened, squeeze it out thoroughly and roll it on your palm so that it absorbs all the water. In this case, the loss of a certain part of the dye is guaranteed, and this is not a disaster; it is much worse if after the described procedure the mixture starts to stick to your hands – this means that the product is of low quality, it will not be possible to restore it.
But even if the best raw materials were used in the production of the finished hardened figurine, it is foolish to try to soak it in order to change it into something else. The old product will be irreparably ruined, but a new one cannot be produced in its place.
Manufacturers
Since this is the only way to be certain of the durability and safety of the purchased product, the choice of dough is heavily influenced by the established brand name in addition to the price and packaging design. In this context, it’s important to highlight a few companies that have gained significant renown in our nation:
- Play-Doh from the famous company Hasbro. This is perhaps the standard – the famous American company, which has released many toys loved by children around the world, could not ignore this type of children"s goods, using in the process of creation its own proprietary approach to maximum compliance with the needs of children. The sets of this brand have become a household name due to the guaranteed eco-friendliness of the composition of the mass and very interesting additions in the form of molds that make the game much more exciting. At the same time, due to its imported nature, such a mixture is still not sold everywhere, and due to its cost, it can scare off a significant portion of potential buyers. Nevertheless, the highest quality is worth it;
- Genio Kids. This brand is also a very serious player in the Eastern European market of children"s creative goods, whose products are manufactured mainly in Belarus, but are exported, at least, to Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Moldova! In terms of its performance characteristics, this product is ahead of many competitors, and there is no doubt about the naturalness of its origin, because the neighboring country is famous for the naturalness of its products. In terms of price, Genio Kids will be significantly cheaper than its American competitor, but even if it is inferior in quality, then only slightly;
- Dough from childhood. Among Russian manufacturers, the most popular products are those of a plant located in Yekaterinburg, which decided to influence consumer demand by reminding people of the times when modeling dough was not purchased in a store, but was made by hand by mom. With this, the manufacturer once again emphasized that it avoids using any harmful, or even just synthetic, substances in its products. A characteristic feature of the company is that a significant part of its products is released not in sets, but in individual jars of dough of different colors, which are sold individually;
- Chinese brands. Today, there is no such type of product that would not be produced in China and not exported from there to dozens of countries around the world, so even such a primitive thing as modeling dough can be produced there and sold here. It is not worth a priori claiming that such products are of low quality – often the reviews about them are very positive, but here you should pay attention to one very important point: Chinese manufacturers are very fond of counterfeiting popular brands from other countries, and counterfeiting a competitor"s product from their own country is not a problem for them at all. Even if you are sure that this brand is tested and has no complaints from you, be prepared to carefully examine the packaging and find fault with any typos that may be evidence of counterfeiting. At the moment when you are not sure of the authenticity of the production by the company indicated on the packaging, you can no longer trust the indicated composition.
For kids, modeling dough is a great activity that helps them develop critical thinking skills and foster creativity in a straightforward and enjoyable way. Kids can strengthen their fine motor skills, develop better hand-eye coordination, and find new, creative ways to express themselves through molding and shaping.
It’s a great option for families to enjoy together because it’s an activity that can be easily modified for any age. Modeling dough, whether homemade or purchased from the store, offers countless opportunities for play and education.
It offers children an excellent sensory experience in addition to being instructive, allowing them to experiment with various textures. It also keeps them occupied and stimulates original problem-solving.