To develop fine motor skills and imagination in children, parents often offer their child modeling lessons. Plasticine, the choice of which in stores is very large, is one of the most popular materials for this. Very often, caring parents opt for the Play-Doh brand.
Why it is so popular and what sets you can find on sale, we will tell you in our article.
What it is?
The Play-Doh brand is famous all over the world, its history has been going on for more than fifty years. It is part of the huge Hasbro empire, which is the world's second largest toy manufacturer. It all started with the release of plasticine in the 1930s, which could be used many times. However, it was non-toxic and did not leave stains. Then he became popular due to the fact that he did an excellent job of cleaning wallpaper from coal. In 1956, the Play-Doh trademark was officially registered in the United States. And 1964 was a significant year that this plasticine began to be used in schools in France, Italy and Britain.
Natural materials, distinguished by their brightness and richness of color, and a highly elastic structure - all this is successfully combined in Play-Doh plasticine and makes it an interesting, fun and exciting toy. This sculpting mass helps to develop fine motor skills, creativity and intense imagination of children... This brand is known to almost every parent and is in great demand.
Today the Play-Doh trademark is the undoubted market leader and is available to customers in 75 countries around the world. Plasticine is distinguished by its softness and tenderness, which is very similar to the modeling dough. Using it, you can create many different figurines and bizarre objects, build entire zoos and farms. The bright color scheme of this product allows children to create real masterpieces.
A variety of fun sets allow both children and their parents to plunge into the holiday atmosphere. With their help, you can imagine yourself as confectioners, doctors, farmers, hairdressers and just dreamers. The culinary masterpieces made are very bright and colorful, every kid will definitely want to treat them to a doll. Animals and heroes from cartoons are funny and funny, it is a pleasure to sculpt them.
Plasticine sets are irreplaceable assistants in the development of creative potential. You can buy them in children's stores or order them online.
Features:
The unique composition of plasticine is a trade secret and is kept in strict confidence, but it can be said with certainty that it is safe. Play-Doh is made on a natural basis, it contains only natural ingredients - this is water, salt, flour, starch and dyes, so this plasticine is very similar to homemade dough. Hasbro assures that plasticine does not contain peanut butter.
It will not bring absolutely any harm to the child's body. Even if a piece still gets into the mouth, the baby is unlikely to want to eat it, because it tastes salty and slightly bitter. However, it contains wheat. This means that parents whose children have been diagnosed with an allergic reaction to gluten should refrain from buying.
Play-Doh plasticine looks very attractive and colorful, the stories in the sets captivate little kids for a long time. It mixes easily, allowing new colors to be created. It is also very soft and does not need to be kneaded for a long time. Plasticine leaves no marks on hands, furniture and clothes and is suitable for repeated use.
These products have their pros and cons. Let's take a closer look.
Pros:
- very bright and saturated colors - this is what distinguishes it from other brands of plasticine;
- is safe and non-toxic;
- very gentle and soft;
- does not leave marks on clothes and furniture;
- the set includes easy-to-use containers that you can even play with.
Minuses:
- high price;
- small parts are poorly attached to each other;
- dries quickly in air
Children can be offered this play dough for games from the age of two. However, one should not forget about basic safety precautions: small particles may end up in the child's airways. That is why you should not leave the kids alone with him.
Textures and tools
The structure of plasticine is an unusually delicate and pliable mass with a pleasant smell, packed in neat plastic containers.
There are two types of it:
- regular Play-Doh;
- Play-Doh Plus is softer and softer to the touch.
Quite a lot of different kits for the Play-Doh game are produced with molds, stencils, all sorts of devices and toy characters. Also, for work, you may need a board, rolling pin, stacks of various types, which are provided in the kit.
Basic set
The package includes:
- 4 jars with a mass for modeling different colors;
- different stencils and attributes to create unique crafts.
Sculpting using this kit will help develop the crumbs of imagination and creativity. Working with him, the kid will have to dream up. By purchasing this kit, you will give your baby the opportunity to sculpt anything using molds.
Popular sculpting kits
In stores you can find a very large assortment of Play-Doh plasticine, among which there are sets for both boys and girls. There are sets based on cartoon characters. In every game you can find something interesting and new. Playing with this plasticine, children immerse themselves in a world of fantasy, develop their imaginations, invent new characters, creating culinary masterpieces and jewelry.
Let's take a look at a few of the more popular kits.
"Play-Doh plus"
The set consists of 8 blue jars. The lids of the containers indicate the colors of the plasticine inside. This type of plasticine mass is softer and more pleasant to the touch, easy to form, does not stick to hands and does not leave greasy marks on clothes. Has a sweetish smell, but salty and bitter in taste.
For masterpieces with small details, this is the best assistant. With it, the baby will be able to create cakes with roses, ice cream, cakes with a variety of interesting decorations.
When choosing this plasticine, creative activities with your child will become one pleasure.
"Puppies"
This play set includes several containers with a lot of different colors, a toy puppy, a basket for baby puppies and a plastic bowl from which the baby can feed the animals. While playing, the child will be able to prepare various food for the little dog. The puppy can also give birth. This process takes place with a special mold on the belly. With its help, it is necessary to squeeze the color of the plasticine you like - and the little puppy will be born. This kit will help children learn how to take care of animals.
"Create your own breakfast" ("Flip and server breakfast")
The most wonderful gift for a child who loves to help his mother in cooking will be the "Create your own breakfast" set. With it, he will be able to create his own culinary masterpiece for a full breakfast of his favorite toys. The set includes 4 containers with plasticine, all the necessary kitchen utensils, such as a spoon, fork, knife, frying pan, spatula, mug, press (2 parts), 3 molds, serving tools. Using all these accessories, you can "cook" waffles, pancakes, scrambled eggs, etc.
"Factory of cakes"
Both children and their parents love cakes. Making them from a colorful mass on your own will become a pleasant pastime for your child. With this kit, the kid will be able to come up with the most exotic culinary masterpieces. To do this, the game includes everything that may be required: molds and entertaining attributes for the game, a machine specially designed for the production of cakes, 4 containers with plasticine (these are 2 Play-Doh cans - the usual mass for modeling and 2 Play-Doh plus cans ", Which is softer and more plastic in its consistency).
Excellent sweets come out with each molding, they are all different from the previous ones. The young pastry chef chooses himself what his cakes will be: shape, color and decoration for them.
Set of 20 jars
The set of 20 Play-Doh plasticine containers in various colors is the best surprise for those who love sculpting. The child will be able to sculpt everything that surrounds us, and these are fabulous and cartoon characters, flowers, trees, favorite pets, houses and cars. With this set, the baby will be able to build a zoo and a farm with various animals, an extraordinary town.
"Dressing table Rarity"
With such a play set, the baby will be able to play with a popular pony living in the fabulous town of Ponyville, the heroine of the cartoon "Friendship is a miracle!" Petite beauty Rarity wants to look pretty and have a lot of jewelry. This set for the game can help to create a unique beauty for the image of a beautiful pony, to make fantasies come true.
The set includes a table, which is the main place for modeling. There is a mirror in the middle. There are many recesses around it in the form of various figures that need to be filled with plasticine. With their help, the child can easily get small details.
The Rarity Dressing Table set includes a pony figurine. It also has depressions and grooves. Using them, you can easily attach DIY decorations to the figurine.
The roller, stack, and extruder, which is built into the inside of the table, are special tools to help you realize your creative fantasies. Stars, cute hearts, gems, flowers - these and other shapes obtained with this Play-Doh set will be the perfect accessory for the sophisticated nature of Rarity.
Connoisseurs of this brand will love the bright color palette of this set. It includes 5 plasticine cans of different colors, 2 of which are larger and 3 are small.
Table game
This is an entertaining Play-Doh game with creative elements. It is suitable for 2 or 3 players.
The playing field is divided into three parts. Each player must take one of them. In the central part there is a Play-Doh symbol - DoDoshka. It is an empty plasticine container in the shape of a man. The player must build a plasticine projectile and throw it using a catapult at the little man. During the game, DoDoshka will funny move the handles and lift the lid. The player who hits the target the most times is the winner. With this game your kid can have fun with his friends. Also, the baby will be able to use plasticine for its intended purpose, including his rich imagination.
To start playing, you will need 1 C / LR14 battery (not included).
"Mister Critter"
This is a very unusual and original set that allows your baby to feel like a real dentist. The set contains a special mold with which you can sculpt teeth. There is a toy drill with which you can drill them, and a gray plasticine for fillings.
With such a set, it is very easy to teach a child to monitor the condition of their teeth and brush them
The instructions for using plasticine are quite simple - you need to get it out of the container in the required amount and create what is planned from it.
You need to work in a pre-prepared place so as not to stain other things. For safety reasons, you need to sculpt under adult supervision.
Storage and shelf life
Store plasticine in a tightly closed container, as it dries quickly in air. Shelf life - 5 years unopened.
Assembly Tips
In order not to turn the cleaning process after sculpting into a boring routine, you can invite the baby to play a funny game. Give him the task to first collect pieces of a certain color and put them in a jar. After that, collect other colors in the same way.
Do not remove the clay with hot water or any kind of detergent. It is easiest to remove it from carpets or materials when it is completely dry. You only need to break the lumps. This requires a stiff bristled brush. It is likely that you will need to use a vacuum cleaner or do a cold wash using a mild soap. If necessary, the processing can be repeated.
Dry pieces of sculpting mass are most often collected from hard surfaces without problems.
Do not use soapy water, as the plasticine will begin to dissolve and cleaning it will cause unnecessary trouble. Small pieces of plasticine, which have not yet had time to dry, are easily collected using a large piece of mass, sticking to it.
Reviews
You can find many reviews about Play-Doh plasticine and its sets. Parents who used this mass for sculpting note that it is a pleasure to work with it. Play-Doh does not need to be crumpled and warmed in your palms for a long time, as you have to do with other brands of plasticine. The huge color palette allows you to come up with a lot of new and interesting things. All of its colors are bright and colorful.
Adults consider a large variety of interesting sets to be a separate plus. With shapes and tools, you can play with them for hours.
The sculpting mass can be used many times, even if it dries out. You just need to add a small amount of water to it.
The cleaning process after class is very convenient, which is an important fact for parents. Play-Doh is easy to clean from any surface, be it smooth floors or fluffy rugs. The excellent consistency of plasticine does not stick to hands and does not leave marks on the table.
As with any product, there are, of course, disadvantages in it. The most significant drawback of this product is called its high price. Not every parent can make such a purchase for a child, but, in principle, this plasticine is worth it. Also, many note that it dries very quickly in the air, but this problem can be dealt with. Also, the parts do not adhere well to each other, and small children are not able to do this without assistance.
Some parents say that plasticine is not always interesting to young children, however, these are already features of the development of a particular child and his interests that should be taken into account. As a rule, as they get older, kids enthusiastically begin to do modeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parents are concerned about the following nuances:
- Is it dangerous if swallowed? Plasticine is safe even if the child swallows a bite. But, of course, you should explain to the baby that you cannot eat it. It tastes salty and slightly bitter. As the manufacturers say, it is non-toxic, will not cause an allergic reaction, except in cases where the child is allergic to wheat gluten.
- Should you dry your crafts? Drying the craft in order to preserve it for a long time is unlikely to work; most likely, it will crack. This plasticine is designed for multiple use. Well, if, after all, you decided to show off your work, then it is better to photograph them. After all, photos can be stored for a very long time.
- How to soften if plasticine has hardened? If the clay has hardened, it can be reanimated by adding water. You can also dampen a paper towel with water and wrap a piece of plasticine in it.After that, you need to put it in a container and leave it overnight.
For a review of Play Doh "Cake Making" plasticine, see the next video.
An example of playing with the Hairstyles set, see below.
