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7 Best Play-Doh Sets (2024 Reviews)

best play doh sets
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Play-Doh is one toy that all kids seem to love. It allows children to use their imagination and creativity to mold, build, and make all kinds of fun objects and designs. While it’s a blast to play with, it also helps strengthen your child’s fine motor skills and hand/finger strength.

Play-Doh comes in a variety of colors and there are tons of different playsets out there. It can be difficult to decide which set to get for your child, so I’ve gathered up the 7 best Play-Doh sets to help you narrow down the choices.

Best Play-Doh Sets

  • 1. Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Colors

    (Most colors — $)

    Why it’s great: If you don’t want to deal with extra parts and tools, or you just need to restock your Play-Doh collection, this pack comes with 10 different colors of dough. Each can holds 2 ounces, and the variety of colors will help keep your child interested and allow them to get creative with their designs. The cans are recyclable, and the Play-Doh is non-toxic and safe for kids as young as three years old.

    Keep in mind: Your child will have to use their imagination since this doesn’t come with any tools.

    Good for: Kids who just need a variety of Play-Doh colors.

    Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Colors

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • (Best value — $)

    Why it’s great: This set is highly rated, and it’s no wonder – it comes with everything your child needs for hours of fun, at an affordable price! It comes with a cookie pan, cookie cutters, a patterned rolling pin, and more, allowing your child to create fun and unique Play-Doh cookies. It also comes with five 2-ounce cans of Play-Doh in varying pastel colors that are perfect for making these cookies come to life.

    Keep in mind: You’ll need to make sure your child understands these aren’t real cookies so they don’t try to eat them!

    Good for: Parents looking for a fun set at an affordable price.

    Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Cookie Creations

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Play-Doh My Little Pony Make 'n Style Ponies

    (Best for girls — $)

    Why it’s great: My Little Pony lovers will adore this Play-Doh set! It comes with four pre-made ponies that your child can decorate with manes, tails, and cute markings. The palette mold has markings for bows, rainbows, flowers, and more. It also comes with a mold to make your own pony. Plus, you’ll get 9 cans of Play-Doh in varying colors and sizes, so your little one can get creative!

    Keep in mind: My Little Pony is typically geared towards little girls, but boys could still have just as much fun playing with this set!

    Good for: My Little Pony fans who want to make and decorate their own ponies.

    Play-Doh My Little Pony Make 'n Style Ponies

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Play-Doh Wheels Firetruck Toy

    (Best for boys — $$)

    Why it’s great: This Play-Doh set is pretty unique, as it comes with a toy fire truck that allows your child to learn how these trucks work and pretend to put out fires. The truck is covered in molds, which allow your little one to create all kinds of accessories out of the dough. The set comes with five cans of Play-Doh, including one that’s a swirl of blues to look like water. Your child will love loading the water cannon and cranking the handle to let the Play-Doh flow!

    Keep in mind: Clean-up may be a little more difficult, as you’ll need to make sure you get everything out of the truck’s cannon and parts so it doesn’t jam it up for future sessions.

    Good for: Little boys (or girls!) who love fire trucks.

    Play-Doh Wheels Firetruck Toy

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Magical Oven

    (Most elaborate — $$$)

    Why it’s great: If you’re looking for a Play-Doh set that will entertain your child for hours, this is the one to get! It comes with an oven, pretend food, tools, cutters, and 6 cans of Play-Doh. Kids love learning to bake, and this gives them the opportunity to practice, without having to worry about getting burned in the process. The oven has a timer and buttons and features a lever on the side which helps your little one get their baked goods in and out of the oven.

    Keep in mind: This is the only set that requires batteries to operate the oven, but it only controls the lights and the noises, so you can still use the oven without them.

    Good for: Kids who love to bake different items and want their own pretend oven.

    Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Magical Oven

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 6. Play-Doh Starter Set

    (Best for Beginners — $)

    Why it’s great: As it says in the name, this set is a great starter set for kids who haven’t experienced playing with Play-Doh yet. It comes with 4 small cans of Play-Doh in bright colors and a bunch of different tools that will allow your little one to mold and create all kinds of designs. Each of the tools is designed for little hands and will help strengthen hand muscles and fine motor skills. The best part is that it comes with a case to store everything when your child is done playing, making cleanup and storage a breeze.

    Keep in mind: Older kids may not have as much fun with this set, as the tools are pretty basic.

    Good for: Younger kids who want to experiment with Play-Doh.

    Play-Doh Starter Set

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. Play-Doh Stamp 'N Top Pizza Oven Toy

    (Most Fun — $$)

    Why it’s great: This is a unique and fun set that allows your child to create and “cook” their own pizzas. It comes with a pizza oven and the tools necessary to grate cheese, make the crust, and mold all the different pizza toppings. It also comes with five cans of Play-Doh in colors you’d expect to see for pizzas and their toppings, making it even more realistic. It also comes with a paddle to get the pizzas in and out of the oven, and a pizza cutter for serving up these pies!

    Keep in mind: Some of the molds are small and it’s easy to get Play-Doh stuck in them.

    Good for: Kids who love pizza.

    Play-Doh Stamp 'N Top Pizza Oven Toy

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Colors

The Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Colors is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

Play-Doh Modeling Compound 10-Pack Case of Colors

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about Play-Doh Sets

  • 1. Why should I get my child a Play-Doh set?

    Play-Doh has been around for generations, and most kids agree that it’s a ton of fun to play with. Besides that, it encourages creativity and allows your child to use their imagination. Manipulating this modeling dough also helps increase hand strength, finger strength, and improves fine motor skills. It’s also a great activity for multiple kids to do together, providing an opportunity for social interactions and building social skills.

  • 2. What should I look for in a Play-Doh set?

    With so many options on the market, you’ll have your choice of Play-Doh sets. Think about what kinds of things interest your child. A lot of Play-Doh sets are centered around food, so you could choose one that allows your little one to make their favorites. Make sure that whatever set you choose is age-appropriate for your child. Another thing to consider is the pieces that come with the set. If one were lost or broken, would the set still be pretty usable, or would it kind of ruin the fun? Look for something that’s versatile, so it will keep your little one entertained longer.

  • 3. Is Play-Doh safe for kids?

    Play-Doh brand sets are all made non-toxic and safe for children to use. While eating a little bit won’t hurt your child, it’s best to try to avoid it when possible. This is mostly due to the high salt content, which could cause a problem if consumed in large quantities. Keep an eye on your child to make sure they’re not eating it, but don’t stress if a little makes it into their mouth. Keep in mind that flour is another main ingredient, so if your child is allergic to gluten, that could also be a problem.

  • 4. At what age can my child play with Play-Doh?

    Due to the factors described above, it’s best for kids over the age of three. Younger children are more likely to put it in their mouths, but they can still play with it if they’re under constant supervision by an adult.

  • 5. Does Play-Doh make a big mess?

    It can, but it really depends on your child and how they’re playing with it. It’s a good idea to only play with it at a table for easy cleanup. A vinyl tablecloth makes it even easier. If you do get any Play-Doh on fabric or carpet, it’s easier to get out if you let it dry first. Soft dough is stickier and harder to deal with.

Conclusion

Play-Doh sets are the perfect indoor activity that’ll help keep your little one occupied and entertained for long periods of time. There are tons of different sets, so you can mix and match to offer plenty of variety. Playing with this dough allows kids to be creative and helps increase skills, offering plenty of benefits.

This list includes different types of sets for ages three and up, so you should easily be able to find one that suits your child’s interests, even if all they want to do is squish or manipulate the dough with their hands.