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You are here: Home / Art Supplies / Play-Doh vs. Modeling Clay

Play-Doh vs. Modeling Clay

Our kids love Play-Doh (And as parents we do too)! Not only is it fun for them (and us) to play with, but it helps calm them down during an “emotional crisis.” You know the ones I’m talking about. Well, if you haven’t tried using an art activity to bring your kid back to “reality” try one. You may be surprised.

Anyways, sculpting with clay has always been a favorite of mine. As a kid I remember using Play-Doh a lot, but I also remember the first time my parents bought modeling clay…I thought I had died and gone to heaven. It’s so much better!

artforkids-modelingclay1-560x373

Play-Doh is great:

  • Especially for kids around 2 years old
  • Its extremely soft, perfect for little fingers
  • When it dries out it’s a little easier to clean up
  • There’s a lot of toys you can use with Play-Doh

Personal Play-Doh side note: Why do they make it smell so bad? Do they add that intentionally, hoping that kids won’t want to eat it? I think they still do. Anyways, I’ve never really liked the smell of Play-Doh, but it’s never stopped the art 🙂

Modeling clay is better:

  • More fun for older kids, because it holds form better
  • Firmer, but after a little use it softens right up
  • Doesn’t dry out
  • Doesn’t crumble
  • Extremely cheap (I bought the pack above at Hobby Lobby and used a %40 off coupon)
  • More colors

Modeling clay side note: Clean up is a little different. Play-Doh tends to crumble and you end up vacuuming a lot of little dried up pieces. Modeling clay is usually oil based (the reason why it doesn’t dry out, or crumble), so be careful about choosing the right surface for them to use the clay on. It will leave an oily residue on whatever surface it touches. Nothing a little soap can’t fix, but be cautious of wood surfaces.

artforkids-modelingclay2-560x373

All in all, you can never go wrong with Play-Doh in the house…but there does come a time when you should think about upgrading. Our little six year old, Jack, had a blast making the “guy” on left. He was shocked when it stayed upright…he said, “Look dad, he’s standing up.” Oh, I had a blast too. I made the old man’s face on the right. It made Jack laugh, because he said it had so many wrinkles.

Filed Under: Art Supplies, Sculpting for Kids Tagged With: Modeling clay, Play-Doh, sculpture

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