Play-Doh is a mixture made from salt, flour and water, and quickly dries out when left outside of a sealed container for very long. Instead of tossing Play-Doh when it’s dried out, take some time to revive it and put the moisture back in. This messy, yet fun classic creative outlet can be reused after being left out with just a little time and effort.
Steps for Fixing Dried-Out Play Doh
You might think to yourself “I’ve reminded them to put this away when they are done,” and you are probably right. But the Play-Doh doesn’t have to be thrown away once it’s dried up a bit, you can salvage the dough. Follow these steps to get it back in great shape for play time.
Step 1: Access the Damage
Depending on how dry the Play-Doh has become, you may need to do a little more work. Play-Doh that has merely begun to dry on the exterior and is still soft and malleable on the inside can be worked back into shape with just a few drops of water. Simply knead the water into the dough until it has returned to its normal state.
If that doesn’t work, try wrapping the Play-Doh in a wet paper towel and setting it aside for a few hours. This should allow the moisture to seep into the dough. It might require kneading afterwards to absorb any extra water.
If the dough has hardened past this point, continue reading. You will need:
- Water
- Plastic Ziplock Bag
Step 2: Break into Pieces if Necessary
Take the hardened Play-Doh and break it into pieces. The breaking the Play-Doh will allow it to absorb water more quickly.
Step 3: Place in Bag & Add Water
Place the broken pieces in the bag with a few drops of water to start. You can add more water as you go, but it’s important not to add too much.
Step 4: Massage Until Usable
Start to knead the water and the dough together, adding a few drops whenever you need. Adding too much will make the color bleed, so patience is key. Once you’ve given the Play-Doh time with the water, it should be good as new.
Buy Classroom Sized Packs of Play Doh Online
If you are interested in buying your own Play-Doh pack for your classroom or home, there are a large variety of colors and creative tools available from School Specialty. Also be sure to stop by the Early Childhood blog category page for more tips, ideas, and activities for young learners.
