National Play-Doh Day is celebrated on September 16 every year. This day is dedicated to everyone’s favorite childhood plaything — Play-Doh! You remember the squishy feel between your fingers but do you remember the taste? It was a rite of passage to taste it at least once! 

 

I remember mixing the colors together and being dismayed that I could no longer unmix them, quite like giving Barbie a haircut that would never grow back. But how could you make a beautiful creation with just one color?!

 

Now you know my childhood blunders but did you know these five interesting facts about Play-Doh?

 

In 1933 Cleo McVicker and his brother Noah developed a non-toxic, malleable formula for wallpaper cleaner. His son Joseph was struggling to keep the business afloat post-WW2 when his sister-in-law, teacher Kayla Zufall, suggested marketing it for arts and crafts.

 

 In 1957, Play-Doh became an overnight sensation when Bob Keeshan, aka Captain Kangaroo, promoted it on his popular children’s tv show. 

 

Hasbro bought Play-Doh in 1991 and expanded to include over 60 different colors and numerous playsets designed for home and classroom use. Since 2006, Hasbro has celebrated National Play-Doh Day by sculpting iconic pop culture moments, such as back-to-school scenes and Monsters University.

 

You can check out these sculptures as well as get inside looks at new products through Play-Doh’s official Facebook page. 

 

The newest offering from Play-Doh is the Pizza Place, complete with a ride-on pizza delivery truck. Children can create Play-Doh pizzas, pop them in the play oven, then deliver to hungry guests. What a way to feed the imagination!