Play-Doh Plus Vs Play-Doh – Differences Explained!

play doh comparison

It’s no secret that Play-Doh is relaxing, calming, and educational to toddlers and small children. With so many different options on the market, you might be wondering what’s different between Play-Doh Plus vs Play-Doh?

Essentially, the key difference between Play-Doh and Play-Doh Plus is that the Plus formula is much softer and smoother. This makes it much easier to mold and sculpt into just about anything little hands can think of. Play-Doh Plus also features a wider variety of colors including glitter shades

Play-Doh Plus vs Play-Doh

If you’ve just recently decided to introduce your little one to the wonderful world of Play-Doh then you’ll want the best option. Let’s delve into what differentiates these two clays and identify which will be better for your toddler. 

History of both formulas

Play-Doh has been around since 1956 and you most likely played with it as a child. So, if it’s such a popular child’s toy, you might be wondering why change the formula?

The answer is quite simple. In 2018, the classic yellow container got a purple partner. The Play-Doh Plus in the purple container is softer, fluffier and lighter. By tweaking the original formula a whole new product was born. 

Hasbro decided on adding “plus” to the name implying that you’re willing to “trade up” and get more with this variant. Aside from the extra colors, the overall texture and flexibility allow children to create a whole new level of creativity. One of the more popular Plus packages is the Play-Doh Plus Color Set which allows little hands to make more detailed stars, swirls and other creative designs. 

Available colors

One of the features that makes clay an attractive option to keep little hands busy is the mixture availability of different colors. Does Play-Doh Plus have more colors than the original Play-Doh?

One of the more popular Play-Doh packages is the Play-Doh 36 Ultimate Pack which features 36 classic fun colors. The Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection 65-pack boasts an impressive variety of 60 colors which includes 32 classic colors, 7 confetti colors, 13 sparkle colors, 8 color burst mixing colors and 5 cans of sparkly blue. 

Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection 65-Pack of Modeling Compound, Non-Toxic, 1-Ounce Fun Size Cans, Includes Sapphire, Sparkle, Confetti, Metallic Colors, and Color Burst (Amazon Exclusive)

Some kits feature a few regular yellow tubs and then a few purple tubs which are the softer, more pliable versions.

What they’re made of

Essentially, Play-Doh and Play-Doh Plus are made of the same ingredients. The 2004 United States patent of Play-Doh is made up of the following ingredients:

  • Water
  • Starch-based binder
  • Retrogradation inhibitor 
  • Salt
  • Lubricant
  • Surfactant
  • Preservative
  • Hardener
  • Humectant
  • Fragrance
  • Color

The Play-Doh Plus also includes a mystery ingredient that makes the clay more pliable and super easy to mold into a bunch of different shapes and designs. While many speculate that the ingredient is gelatin, Hasbro is keeping it a closely guarded secret!

The softness of the texture

The most significant differentiating factor between the regular Play-Doh and the Play-Doh Plus is the texture. Play-Doh plus is much softer and easier to mold into fun shapes such as cupcakes, cakes and a host of other designs. 

Both options are moist and non-sticky. However, leaving both options uncovered overnight will make them dry and hard. To get an idea of the fun things your little one can do with Play-Doh, consider reading my article on if you can bake Play-Doh?

How it sticks to surfaces

Since Play-Doh and Play-Doh Plus are both soft forms of clay, they can easily stick to anything! This can result in a struggle to clean up if the clay gets stuck in carpets and blankets. 

Whether you’re using the Play-Doh or Play-Doh Plus option, it’s always a good idea to keep them on a hard surface. The Humble Crew Aqua Table is an ideal option as it’s easy to clean. To prevent your little one’s Play-Doh from getting stuck in blankets, carpets or even hair, always pack it away in an airtight container such as the Case for Play-Doh which easily holds 20 small 3-ounce cans. 

Are there accessories?

To add to your little one’s fun and help develop fine motor skills, there are a bunch of different dough tool kits to make creating shapes much easier. The KIDDY DOUGH Tool Kit includes 24 colorful cutters, molds, rollers and play accessories. 

Another fun package is the Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Playset. The Oun Nana Dough Tools Kit is another popular option made up of scissors, rollers and cutters. All of these are compatible with all types of Play-Doh.

Additionally, a bunch of items already lying around your house can be used to create new and interesting Play-Doh designs. Using items such as the ones listed below will open a whole new world of creativity:

  • Toilet rolls
  • Pipe cleaners 
  • Container lids
  • Straws 

Can you mix Play-Doh Plus with regular Play-Doh?

The ingredients of both Play-Doh and Play-Doh Plus are mostly the same. However, the addition of their new secret ingredient to make the Plus variant more fluffy makes it flaky when it’s added to the regular Doh

If your little one will primarily be doing molding, rolling and cookie-cutter play, it’s a good idea to invest in the Play-Doh Plus from the get-go. The new ingredient gives Play-Doh Plus more flexibility for this type of play. 

Watch this short clip to see just how your little one can play with regular Play-Doh.

Did Play-Doh Plus get discontinued?

No. With both versions still readily available, it can be confusing to find the best option for your little one. An easy way to tell them apart is the color of the Doh tub. Regular Play-Doh is still available in their classic yellow tubs while the Play-Doh plus boasts a purple tub.

Conclusion

While Play-Doh and Play-Doh Plus are essentially made from similar ingredients, there’s no denying they feel considerably different. Tweaking their lubricant in the Plus formula makes it softer and much more pliable. Opting for the Play-Doh Plus option is the ideal way to get clay that can easily be molded into many different shapes without losing the clay-like feel

For a more in-depth look at Play-Doh, consider reading one of my other articles, entitled Crayola Dough compared to Play-Doh as well as Softee Dough versus Play-Doh. Both of these will give you an insight into a few different options!

Last update on 2024-03-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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