DS 1 started playdough at 12 months (he was crazy good with fine motor skills and did not eat it). DDs 2 and 3 started at 15 months, but at 2 are a lot better with it now. Agree with pps stating that it is only allowed at kitchen table. They may not walk around the house with it or I put it away.

We started playdough around 18 months-2.

The mess isn't a huge concern. After they're done playing its cleaned up, thats all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. I'll have a designated place for her to use it, but it'll probably make a mess....but the whole house is a mess these days, so whatever.

No, not whatever. Fight it! We have a plastic tablecloth on a kiddie table which sits atop a drop cloth. Play Doh is ONLY used on that table. If they get up from the play doh table with play doh they get one warning. If they do it again, play doh goes away for the rest of the week.

Why do you care? This response seriously wins the award for silliest/most useless/most self-congratulatory post of the week.

All my kids started playing with play dough aroun 16 months. They all love it.

The rule at our house is that play dough is at the table only. It doesn't really make much of a mess at all. I've made my own, but actually prefer the store bought type.

We did it in the high chair/booster only. No mess.

I've never met a 2 year old who didn't love playdoh! It's very easy to make your own playdoh, too! I agree with the PP about having a special place that it is to be played with, and rules about keeping it in that area (my kids used to use the kitchen table). Fun!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks all. I'll have a designated place for her to use it, but it'll probably make a mess....but the whole house is a mess these days, so whatever.

No, not whatever. Fight it! We have a plastic tablecloth on a kiddie table which sits atop a drop cloth. Play Doh is ONLY used on that table. If they get up from the play doh table with play doh they get one warning. If they do it again, play doh goes away for the rest of the week.

Next try moon sand, now that really makes a mess.

My DD is 25 mos., and has played w/ playdoh frequently for several months. It's actually not that messy, and even the store bought stuff won't hurt her if she tastes it. in addition to the most excellent "Fun Factory" press thing, my DD loves using a rolling pin and cookie cutters. Tons of fun for all.

OP here. Thanks all. I'll have a designated place for her to use it, but it'll probably make a mess....but the whole house is a mess these days, so whatever.

2 is a good age to start playdoh

My 18mo plays with playdoh, and has been for awhile. He'll occasionally try to taste it, but I remember tasting my own fair share of playdoh as a child and no harm done. He plays with it in a much different way than our older child, but will definitely amuse himself for long periods at a time squishing it into things and pulling it apart.

As long as she's not allergic to wheat, then that's a good age.

Sounds like she's ready. You can make it at home, and then it's fine if they DO put it in their mouths, FYI. Tons of recipes all over the internet, very simple to make.

My daughter is 2. Was thinking about getting her a beginner's playdoh set for Christmas. Is she too young? She does not put things in her mouth anymore.