Play-Doh is soft, squishy, and malleable, providing a satisfying sensory experience. The act of squishing and shaping it can be soothing and enjoyable for kids. It's been around for decades, loved by both kids and their parents who remember it from their own childhood. That squidgy, squishy, dough offers endless scope for creativity and imaginative play.
While they can create whatever they want from a lump of Play-Doh, the best Play-Doh sets offer even more opportunities for development and education. Play-Doh allows kids to create virtually anything they can imagine. This freedom to mould and shape Play-Doh into different forms supports creative thinking and artistic expression.
Best Play-Doh sets at a glance:
• Best for imagination: 36 Pack of Play-Doh, £23.99
• Best for hair styling: Play-Doh Hair Stylin' Salon set, £18.99
• Best for for aspiring chefs: Play-Doh Little Chef Starter set, £9.99
• Best for Bluey fans: Play-Doh Bluey Make n'Mash Costumes, £10.99
Play-Doh comes in a variety of bright colours that attract children. Mixing colors and creating multi-coloured objects can be a fun and engaging activity. This type of play encourages children to explore and experiment, fostering problem-solving skills and independence.
We've rounded up the ones the Mother&Baby writers know our own kids would love, so we can be sure they'll be favourites with your kids too.
The best Play-Doh sets 2024
Best Play-Doh set for imagination
PlayDohWith an incredible 36 pots, this has to be one of the best Play-Doh sets - you might never need to buy any more Play-Doh once you've bought this set! With all the colours of the rainbow, kids can create anything they can imagine. It's also a great option for splitting into party bags, gifting for Christmas, or popping into Christmas Advent Calendars.
One customer who bought this for their grandchildren said: "Bought for my grandchildren to play with when visiting me recently. They absolutely loved it. So many colours to choose from and decent size pots of dough. They have had this for several weeks now and still have lots left to play with. Great price, quick delivery and good quality product."
Pros
- Squishy and bright
- Sparks imaginations for kids 2 and up
- Play-Doh modeling compound is made primarily with wheat
Cons
- To be used under the direct supervision of an adult
Best Play-Doh set for hair styling
Play-DohLittle wannabe hairdressers will have endless fun with this PLay-Doh Stylin' Salon set. Simply load some dough into the chamber, pick a hair texture and crank the handle to grow the hair! It includes 6 pots of Play-Doh, including 3 dual coloured pots for crazy hair styling colour combos.
One buyer who purchased this for a child as a Christmas present said: "I bought this for a 7 year old for Christmas. We put it on a tray and actually ended up getting it out (and packing away!) three times on Christmas Day, because he enjoyed it so much. It is 100 times more fun when an adult plays too, of course. Plenty of scope for acting, dental hygiene advice (from the child) and funny noises. The idea is brilliant, and it works perfectly."
Pros
- Kids can create crazy, colourful Play-Doh hairstyles
- Lots of Play-Doh tools to complete the pretend hair salon experience
- This Play-Doh set makes a super stylin' gift for any kid age 3 and up
Cons
- One review said it would have been better with an instruction leaflet on how to assemble the head and tongue, and how to apply the teeth.
Best Play-Doh set for aspiring chefs
Play-DohThis Play-Doh set has all they need to whip up a storm in the kitchen, with 14 accessories, including strawberries, carrots, and more, and 5 colours of Play-Doh. Handily, the chopping board doubles as a storage box so you can easily tidy it all away at the end of the day.
One customer said: "Little one absolutely loved this. The machine is great fun, and he was able to identify the shapes it made, and it also has moulds and cutters. Endless fun. Good sturdy box to put away for next time."
Pros
- Little Chef Starter Set let kids make kitchen-themed creations as they chop, slice, and shape
- 14 play kitchen accessories and 5 Play-Doh colours
- Your little one can use the molds to create Play-Doh strawberries, carrots, and more
Cons
- One review said the Playdoh pots are smaller than I expected
Best Play-Doh set for Bluey fans
Play-DohThe best Play-Doh set for Bluey fans, this set will let them play dress-up with Bluey and Bingo, using 11 pots of Play-Doh. They can create the two pups and dress them up as princesses, explorers, doctors and hilarious grannies Janet and Rita. There's even a stamper to make their magic xylophone.
Includes: Bluey stamper, Bingo stamper, 5 dress-up stampers, knife, roller and 11 pots of Play-Doh modelling compound.
Bought as a birthday gift, one customer said: "Bought as a birthday gift for my son's friend. She absolutely loves it. Comes with a great selection of Bluey stencils and little pots of play-doh in Bluey themed colours."
Pros
- Play-Doh playset gives children 3 and up the chance to recreate some of their favourite make believe moments from the Bluey cartoon
- Your child can stamp each pup with the Bluey and Bingo stampers
- Bluey and Bingo can be up dressed up as princesses, explorers and more
Cons
- One customer said that the Play-Doh could do with larger pots
Best Play-Doh set for animal lovers
Play-DohThis toy vet kit for kids lets them get creative and play Vets, grooming and caring for the toy dog that's part of this Play-Doh set. They can make the dog grow a long Play-Doh tongue and silly Play-Doh hair from its ears and back. They'll probably love the idea of moulding pretend fleas and picking them off with the tweezers!
It includes 5 pots of Play-Doh, and 10 vet-themed Play-Doh tools, so they can stamp with the toy stethoscope, fill in the thermometer, make 5 different bandage styles, and give the pup a haircut with the play scissors. Even better, it can all be stored in the carrier for fun on the go, making it ideal for holidays and travelling around.
One parent said: "Brilliant little set.. Nice accessories included. When you push on his head, his tongue comes out and looks very real. And the accessories are very fun to use.. you can make plasters, give him medicine, grow and cut his hair and nails. A nice full featured set. This toy is strong and can handle the force required to shape the playdoh."
Pros
- For kids 3 years and up
- Lets them get creative and play pretend veterinarian
- Kids can also mold pretend fleas, pick them off with the tweezers, and style up the pup
Cons
- Not suitable for children under 36 months
Best Play-Doh set for motor skills
With this amazing light-up toy oven, aspiring chefs can watch their Play-Doh foods rise. All they need to do is put some Play-Doh compound in a baking tray and place it in the oven. Press the lever and see the Play-Doh food "bake" as the lights come on. The lights turn from white to red as it finishes "baking”, while you hear it make a "ding" noise when dinner is ready!
One customer happy with their order said: "This is great for kids - have a 5 year old and a 3 year old who love this. The accessories for it are brilliant and quite versatile. The colours which come too are really good"
Pros
- This kitchen playset features a toy oven for kids 3 years and up
- Your little one can pretend to be a chef, put the Play-Doh food inside, press the lever, and watch it rise
- Just like a real oven, once the Play-Doh food has finished rising, you'll hear the "ding" to let you know that dinner is ready
Cons
- Needs 3 AAA batteries, which are not included
Best Play-Doh set for unicorn fans
Unicorns are a beloved fantasy theme among children, capturing their imagination and interest. This makes unicorn-themed Play-Doh sets particularly attractive and engaging for kids. This unicorn Play-Doh set comes with accessories and molds that allow children to create magical and whimsical shapes. This encourages creative expression and imaginative play, as children can craft their own fantastical creatures and scenes.
One customer who bought this for her daughter said: "Amazing toy that offers hours of endless play. Playdough is a staple in our house because of all the endless possibilities for play. Our unicorn lover was very happy!"
Pros
- Play Doh Fantasy Unicorn modelling clay set
- Toddlers' imagination will shine with the 5 pots of multicoloured dough3 pots of glitter modelling clay
- Includes 3 pots of glitter modelling clay
Cons
- Small im size
FAQs
What is Play-Doh made of?
Play-Doh is primarily made of water, salt, and flour, along with preservatives, colorings, and a few other ingredients to enhance texture and durability. It is non-toxic and safe for children.
Is Play-Doh safe for children?
Yes, Play-Doh is non-toxic and generally safe for children to play with. However, it is not meant to be ingested, so supervision is recommended, especially for younger children.
What age group is Play-Doh suitable for?
Play-Doh is typically suitable for children aged 2 and up. It's important to check the packaging for specific age recommendations for each set.
Can Play-Doh dry out?
Yes, Play-Doh can dry out if left uncovered. To keep it fresh, store it in an airtight container when not in use.
How can I soften dried Play-Doh?
You can soften dried Play-Doh by adding a few drops of water and kneading it until it reaches the desired consistency. If it's too hard, you might need to add more water gradually.
How do I clean Play-Doh from carpets and fabrics?
Allow the Play-Doh to dry completely, then scrape off as much as possible. Use a vacuum to remove any remaining bits. For any residue, a damp cloth with mild soap can help clean the area.
What to make out of Play-Doh?
Basic Shapes: Circles, squares, triangles, and other geometric shapes.
Animals: Simple animals like snakes, worms, or caterpillars by rolling the Play-Doh into long shapes.
Food Items: Pretend food like pizza, cookies, fruits, and vegetables.
Flowers: Simple flowers with petals and stems.
Is Play-Doh toxic?
Play-Doh is primarily made from water, salt, and flour, along with preservatives, colorings, and other ingredients to enhance texture and prevent mold growth. These ingredients are non-toxic and safe for most children.
How to get Play-Doh off clothes?
Let the Play-Doh dry completely on the fabric. This makes it easier to scrape off without spreading the stain further. Then, use a dull knife, spoon, or a plastic scraper to gently scrape off as much dried Play-Doh as possible from the fabric. Soak the stained area in cold water to loosen any remaining Play-Doh particles. Apply a pre-treatment stain remover or liquid dish soap directly to the stained area. Gently work it into the fabric using your fingers or a soft brush.
Remember, Play-Doh sets offer a wealth of benefits for children, making them a highly valued and beneficial addition to playtime. These sets captivate children with their tactile, colorful, and versatile nature, promoting creativity and imaginative play.
They add to the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while also providing educational opportunities through themed sets and structured activities. The open-ended nature of Play-Doh play encourages problem-solving and social interaction, supporting overall cognitive and social development.
As a safe and engaging medium, Play-Doh sets are a delightful and effective tool for fostering both fun and learning in children.
Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.