10 Wacky Facts About Play-Doh That Will Amaze You 

There’s a day for just about everything now, but this one is extra fun. September 16 is National Play-Doh Day, and it’s all about celebrating that squishy, colorful stuff your child just can’t get enough of. You might be wondering, is Play-Doh Day a real holiday? It actually is! It was started by the company behind Play-Doh to recognize the toy’s long-standing role in childhood creativity. Since then, families, classrooms, and kids all over the country have turned it into a full-on celebration of imagination. 

Your child probably already loves squeezing, rolling, and shaping Play-Doh into wild creations. But the story behind this classic toy is full of fun twists and silly surprises. Here are 10 facts about Play-Doh that will make your next play session even more fun. 

1. Play-Doh Was Invented to Clean Wallpaper 

Did you know Play-Doh wasn’t originally made to be a toy? The real history of Play-Doh starts in the 1930s, when a man named Noah McVicker invented a soft, doughy compound to clean wallpaper. Back then, coal heating left behind black soot, and families used this cleaner to gently lift grime off their walls. Years later, as coal heat faded out, so did the need for wallpaper cleaner. That’s when a nursery school teacher named Kay Zufall noticed something special. She let her students play with the leftover cleaner in her classroom, and they loved it. Her idea sparked a lightbulb moment for Joe McVicker, Noah’s nephew, who turned the product into the toy we know today. Thanks to a teacher’s eye for creativity and a clever rebrand, Play-Doh became a preschool classic. 

2. It Was White Before It Was Rainbow 

Imagine opening a can of Play-Doh and finding plain white dough inside. That’s how it used to be until around 1956. The original cleaner version had no color at all. But once it made its way into classrooms, teachers and kids wanted it to be a little more exciting. That’s when the company started adding basic colors like red, yellow, and blue. From there, the rainbow just kept growing. Now you can get every shade imaginable, plus glitter, confetti, and even scented versions. Way more fun than the original white stuff! 

3. It Wasn’t Always Called “Play-Doh” 

So why is it called Play-Doh? When it changed from a cleaning product to a kid’s toy in 1956, it needed a whole new name. The company wanted something playful and catchy, so they took the word “dough,” gave it a silly twist, and added “play” to the front. Ta-da! Play-Doh. The name has been making kids smile ever since. 

4. There’s a Play-Doh Perfume 

The smell of Play-Doh is something every parent recognizes instantly. It’s sweet, salty, and just… Play-Doh-y. Believe it or not, that scent is so famous that a company called Demeter Fragrance Library actually made a Play-Doh–scented perfume in 2006 to celebrate Play-Doh’s 50th anniversary. It was designed for collectors and grown-ups who wanted a whiff of childhood nostalgia. You probably won’t wear it on date night, but it goes to show how powerful and familiar that squishy scent really is. 

5. The Play-Doh Recipe Is Still Top Secret 

Even though you can make your own play dough at home with flour, salt, and water, the official Play-Doh recipe is still a secret. It’s been kept under wraps for decades. What we do know is that the real stuff stays softer, molds better, and smells more magical than anything you can mix up in the kitchen. That said, making homemade dough is still a great rainy-day activity if your little one loves to measure, stir, and get their hands messy. 

6. Play-Doh Is a Hall of Famer 

Play-Doh is seriously legendary. It was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998, right alongside other childhood classics like building blocks and crayons. It’s earned its place on the shelf of all-time favorites, and it’s not going anywhere. When you watch your child roll out a pizza or press letters into a lump of dough, you’re seeing a timeless kind of play that’s lasted three generations. 

7. Play-Doh Was One of Time Magazine’s Greatest Toys of All Time 

In 2011, Time Magazine named Play-Doh one of the “All-Time 100 Greatest Toys”. It earned a spot alongside toy icons like LEGO, Barbie, and Mr. Potato Head. What makes Play-Doh so special? It’s simple, open-ended, and sparks creativity like nothing else. Kids don’t need instructions or batteries—just their hands and imagination. 

8. Play-Doh Has Traveled the Globe 

Since hitting toy store shelves in the 1950s, Play-Doh has sold over 3 billion cans. (That’s billion with a B.) It’s been squished, sculpted, and smushed in homes and schools all over the world. That colorful little can has gone far beyond Ohio, where it was first made. And if your home has ever looked like a rainbow Play-Doh tornado hit it, consider it a badge of honor. 

9. Play-Doh is a Preschool Super Tool 

Play-Doh might look like just a toy, but it’s actually a sneaky little learning tool. It helps build fine motor skills, supports early literacy by shaping letters and numbers, and inspires creative thinking like nothing else. Teachers use it in science lessons to model animals, plants, or even the solar system. When your child plays with Play-Doh, they’re doing so much more than making spaghetti shapes. They’re building brainpower with every squish. 

10. Play-Doh in Mexico Helped Set a World Record 

In 2016, Play-Doh celebrated its 60th anniversary by breaking a seriously colorful world record. A team in Mexico City used over 26,000 cans of Play-Doh to create a massive mosaic mural measuring over 11 meters wide. It took 20 people working 12 straight hours to piece it all together. The final design was bright, bold, and officially recognized by Guinness World Records for the largest plastic tub mosaic. Now that’s what you call teamwork and creativity rolled into one unforgettable art project! 

Hands-On Learning Lives at Creative World School 

At Creative World School, we believe the best learning happens through hands-on play. That’s why tactile materials like Play-Doh are a big part of our approach to early childhood education. In our signature Exploratorium™, children dive into sensory experiences that spark curiosity and fuel creativity. From storytelling and squishing dough to experimenting with color and texture, your child’s imagination comes to life through open-ended exploration. So even when it’s not officially National Play-Doh Day, we’re busy shaping little minds, one squishy creation at a time. Want to see it in action? Find your nearest preschool and come join the fun!