Play-Doh

creativity · toys · history

Cleaning to creativity. Play-Doh began in the 1930s as a wallpaper cleaner in Cincinnati, Ohio. Someone realized kids could use it for fun instead, and it became way more popular as a toy than it ever was as a cleaner.

Schools loved it first. In the mid-1950s, Play-Doh was reworked and sold to schools because teachers saw how great it was for getting kids creative. It turned out that learning and playing with colorful modeling clay was a perfect match.

Department stores said yes. After being demonstrated at an education convention in 1956, big department stores wanted to sell Play-Doh to customers. That's when it became the toy that showed up in stores everywhere.

More colors, more fun. Play-Doh comes in tons of bright colors that mix together, so kids can make their own shades and create whatever they dream up.