National Play-Doh Day is celebrated on September 16, honors the iconic modeling compound that has inspired creativity for generations. Since its creation, Play-Doh has been a favorite in households, schools, and art classes, offering a versatile way for people of all ages to express themselves through hands-on play. Its soft, pliable texture is perfect for molding into countless shapes, encouraging both imaginative play and fine motor skill development.
Play-Doh is so popular today that many kids’ videos featuring the product gain millions of views, with the most popular one reaching a staggering two billion views. This day celebrates the creativity and joy Play-Doh brings to people around the world.
When Is National Play-Doh Day Celebrated?
National Play-Doh Day is celebrated every year on September 16. Mark your calendars to remember the fun and creativity this iconic toy brings to the world.
| Year | Day, Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Monday, September 16 |
| 2025 | Tuesday, September 16 |
| 2026 | Wednesday, September 16 |
| 2027 | Thursday, September 16 |
| 2028 | Saturday, September 16 |
| 2029 | Sunday, September 16 |
| 2030 | Monday, September 16 |
From Wallpaper Cleaner to Creative Icon: The Story of Play-Doh
Play-Doh wasn’t always the beloved toy we know today. Its journey began in the 1930s as a wallpaper cleaner invented by Cleo McVicker and his brother Noah. At the time, coal was a common source of heat, and homes were often covered in soot. Wallpaper couldn’t be washed with water, so a special compound was needed to clean it. The McVicker brothers created a non-toxic, clay-like material that could be reused, and it became a big success for years.
By the 1950s, however, the cleaner’s popularity faded due to the rise of oil heating and vinyl wallpaper. The McVickers faced a challenge—how to save their product from becoming obsolete. The solution came from a nursery school teacher named Kay Zufall, who discovered the wallpaper cleaner could be repurposed as a fun, safe modeling compound for kids. Her students loved using it to make Christmas ornaments, which sparked the idea to transform it into a toy.
In 1955, Play-Doh was officially launched, now rebranded and sold in bright colors. The simple compound, made from salt, flour, and water, quickly caught on with children and schools alike. Its big break came in 1958 when it was featured on the popular TV show Captain Kangaroo. Play-Doh’s fame soared, and by the 1960s, it was selling internationally.
Today, Play-Doh remains a symbol of childhood creativity. Kids use it to sculpt anything from animals to food, while parents and teachers appreciate its non-toxic and easy-to-clean nature. With over 500 million cans produced each year, Play-Doh continues to inspire generations to create and imagine.
5 Fun Ways to Celebrate National Play-Doh Day
- Host a Play-Doh Sculpting Challenge
Get together with family or friends and organize a fun sculpting contest. Pick a theme like animals, food, or famous landmarks, and give everyone 10-15 minutes to create their masterpiece. At the end, vote on the most creative or detailed sculpture. You can even offer small prizes, like homemade treats or the honor of choosing the next theme! - Create Play-Doh Art with Kids
Spend time with your kids molding Play-Doh into fun shapes. Encourage them to make animals, fruits, or even pretend food items like pizza or cupcakes. You can guide them by suggesting simple shapes or let their imagination lead. For a more educational twist, challenge them to create letters or numbers, turning playtime into a fun learning activity. - Try DIY Play-Doh Recipes
Make your own Play-Doh at home using easy-to-find ingredients like flour, salt, water, and food coloring. This not only adds an extra level of fun but also teaches kids basic kitchen skills. Look up different recipes online—some versions even allow you to create scented or glittery Play-Doh for an extra touch of creativity. - Build Play-Doh Sceneries
Use Play-Doh to create entire miniature worlds. You could make a zoo, a jungle, or a city complete with cars and buildings. Encourage kids to think of stories to go along with their creations, enhancing their storytelling and imaginative skills. This can also be a great group activity where each person contributes to different parts of the scene. - Share Your Play-Doh Creations Online
Use social media to connect with other Play-Doh fans by sharing pictures of your creations. Use the hashtag #NationalPlayDohDay and browse to see what others have made. You can even join online communities or participate in Play-Doh challenges hosted on platforms like Instagram or Facebook for a chance to show off your creativity.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
