Dough
Play-Doh has achieved almost iconic status in the half-century it's been around. To celebrate its 50th birthday this year, Hasbro, the manufacturer, has launched a Birthday Pack assortment that contains no less than 50 different coloured tubs (approximately 25g each in weight), and is priced 12.99. Also new for this year is the 50th Birthday Bucket, which includes more than 20 accessories, such as birthday cards and cake moulds, priced 9.99. Suitable for a wide age range.
Telephone 0800 328 7007 www.hasbro.com
Plasticine was invented in 1895 and has been going strong ever since. New for this season is the Plasticine Activity Bucket and this contains 13 large sticks of differently-coloured Plasticine, plus four moulds and cutters. The set comes in a reusable plastic bucket with carry handle.
Suitable for a wide range of ages, priced 4.99. The Master Crafter Plasticine set would also be useful for group work. This includes 15 tubs of Plasticine, 12 cutters, two modelling tools, a roller, a play mat and an ideas and instructions leaflet. Children can make models and position them on the play mat to create a scene, and each tub has a textured base and lid for stamping patterns, priced 9.99. Bumper packs of 500g slabs in a single colour are also available, new this season, as are neon and technicolour sticks. All from Flair.
Telephone 020 8643 0320 www.flairplc.co.uk
The Oasis EZ Shape Modelling Clay Bucket contains ten bars of 1kg clay; six shape cutters and four multi-function tools, which come in a 'lift-flap' storage bucket. Suitable for four-year-olds upwards, priced 9.99, from Mail Order Express.
Telephone 08700 663366 www.mailorderexpress.com
SES Creative's Small Modelling Game, also from Mail Order Express, contains six differently-coloured soft clays, a rolling pin, shape cutters and a plastic knife. This set suits children from three and is priced 4.25.
Telephone as before.
Doughs that are different
If you're keen to ring the changes with your supply of dough you could take a look at FloatiT, which is an entirely new substance that is similar to very lightweight putty. FloatiT can be squeezed, kneaded and shaped and used dry or models can be made to float on water. The manufacturer claims the product doesn't stain hands or dry out. Available in boxes of eight in green, pink, yellow and blue, suitable for age three upwards, priced 9.80 from Doodle World.
Telephone 0191 5100188 www.doodle-world.com
Early Years Resources stocks Skin Colour Clay (pictured left) that includes six assorted skin colours in a 3kg pack, priced 5.50.
Telephone 0161 873 8181 www.earlyyearsresources.co.uk
4M Glow Dough from Mail Order Express includes dough that glows in the dark, two different sized star-shaped cutters and four sets of wobbly eyes.
Suitable for five-year-olds upwards, priced 2.99.
Telephone as before.
Natural resources
Happymais from Ecotoys is a substance that starts life as a kernel of GM-free corn. The corn is used to make Mater-BI, a biodegradable plastic that can be manufactured into everything from plastic bags to cups and plates and, of course, Happymais. Happymais comes in small pieces that can be stuck together just by moistening. No glue is needed and the product comes in eight different colours. Happymais can be cut with safety scissors, hand moulded or even grated. The best way to work with the product is using a damp sponge - if it gets too wet it will dissolve! For every 2.5 litres of Happymais that Ecotoys sells it donates enough to protect 10sqm of rainforest. Suitable for four-year-olds upwards, priced from 1.99 from Peter Ridley.
Telephone 01728 663395 www.peterridley.co.uk
Paper Art from Hasbro consists of differently-themed sets of cardboard pieces that are flat packed and ready printed and come with easy-to-follow instructions. The new 2006 range has improved 'touch and textile features' to enhance the lifelike qualities of the models and additions include a rabbit with a soft nose, a metallic parrot, a scaly lizard, a soft touch polar bear and a penguin. Paper Art models require glue to fix them together and are suitable for children from seven years, priced from 5.99.
Telephone as before.
The Paper Weaving Basket Set is new to Early Years Resources and contains sufficient materials for children to weave 24 baskets. The paper in this kit is printed to make it look like bamboo and there's no need for glue or anything else to hold the baskets together, although you may wish to use some tape on the ends. Priced 11.50.
Telephone as before.
Childcare professionals have always been in the forefront of recycling initiatives, but now there's a new way of reusing paper that will also challenge the children's creativity. Paper FX from Flair is designed to crease, cut and lace paper to enable children to fashion everything from tote bags to collages and pencil holders, and glue is included with this product. Suitable for six-year-olds upwards, Paper FX will be available in August, so you can look forward to some cosy autumn gift making sessions! Priced 5.99.
Telephone as before.
