Rhiana is getting playdough from my grandparents for christmas. We thought that now that she is 3 she would be old enough to get it. Well just yesterday my parents took her to church and let her play in the kids church. When they picked her up the worker had told my mom that Rhiana had been eating playdough. I don't know how much or any other info. So now I am wondering about the playdough being such a good idea. My dh said she should still get the playdough, we will just have to be right beside her when she is playing with it, to make sure it doesn't go in her mouth. Has any one else had a child that ate playdough? What did you do? Is she maybe still to young for playdough?

Crystal

playdough is non toxic so it is not a huge deal if she eats it. Both my kids do play with playdough. I am less than concerned if they eat it (which they generally don't as they are past that stage at 3.5 and 1.5 years), but what bugs me is the huge mess it makes and how there are little bits of it everywhere when they are done.

My 3 yo doesn't eat playdough anymore. My parents got her some for her second birthday and it takes a while to learn not to eat it. For a kid, I understand the desire to. Interesting smell, feels great in the hands and such pretty colors. My 22 month old has about stopped eating playdough finally. Both girls love it. I hate the mess it can make, but it is worth it. Just keep away from carpet.

I agree, it is non-toxic. However, it does contain wheat products so if you have gluten issues, you may want to find something else to play with (Timberdoodle may have something to sub, they have a ton of cool stuff online). And, if they do eat a lot of it, it comes out the same color it went in, so don't be worried to see blue, purple or orange poo the next day.

Playdough is worth it. Just consistent training, and they do realize that it doesn't taste that great, eventually.

I think it's a great gift :-D 3 is a fine age. I agree, it's just messy but the kids love it :mrgreen:

if you look on line you can also find recipes to make your own and there are some recipes for edible playdough :) i know for children who have an allergy or intolerance to gluten you can make your own without the wheat, i have had to do that. I had to ban it from my home for a while b/c my ds has autism and is on a special diet, he would eat it and even in his classroom they had to take it out and replaced it with the rice flour playdo :) He actually craved it!

Anyway I htink she will grow out of eating it, if you make your own you can add lots of salt and I am sure she won't want to eat it :)

Three is a great age for playdough...homemade or store bought. My boys started playing at 2 years old....I think it is the same with ANYTHING, the first time you sit and parent them while they play...tell them not to put it in their mouth, etc.....if they're three, they can comprehend this. They just need to learn the first time like eveything else.

Payton plays with playdough, he's not quite 2. I'm sure he's eaten bits here and there and, like Cheese said, it is non-toxic. :)

Playdough has entertained my kids for an hour (if not longer) sometimes. My "rule" is that it's done at the table and stays there - in the kitchen, not on carpet. I have old plastic/vinyl placemats for them to put the playdough on while they play with it so that helps with clean up. If we're away from home (at grandparents) I'll use a piece of wax paper for them to put their playdough on.

Definitely in the beginning sit there with them and let them know not to eat it.

Janell