Play doh is celebrated as one of the most beloved children’s toys of all time! Children around the world seem to agree, there is no limit to creative things to make with it.

However, most people don’t know the history of this classic arts and crafts product. Play-doh, a non-toxic reusable modeling compound invented by brothers Noah and Joseph McVicker, was first introduced in 1956.

Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, or a kid… this list of ten things to make with play-doh will help to generate enthusiasm and imagination for any creative project!

10. Snakes

This is a simple activity perfect for the very youngest children. By rolling a ball of play doh between the palms, or between a palm and a hard surface such as a table, it is easy to create thin, snake-like strings.

9. Letters and words

A variation on play doh snakes is forming letters. Bend and arrange the snakes to form letters and words. Encourage your child to identify letters and spell out words. This can be a particular educational activity for young children.

8. Play doh community

Older children will have the patience and ability to create people, trees, animals, creatures even houses. Use a toothpick to draw faces on people and creatures.

7. Cookies

Use a rolling pin to roll a ball of play doh into a flat sheet. Children will enjoy using cookie cutters or stamps to create cookies of various shapes. Although these cookies are not edible, they are fun to make!

6. Play doh food

Pretend food can be such fun! Create hamburgers, apples, spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, pie, ice cream cones, etc. Provide children with plastic utensils such as knives and forks so they may cut or slice the pretend food.

5. Cups and saucers

What fun is pretend food without pretend plates, bowls, teacups, etc. Older children will be able to manipulate and sculpt it to create three-dimensional tea party sets.

4. Ornaments

Believe it or not, play doh creations can in fact be preserved. Bake it in the oven at a temperature of 200 degrees for five minutes. Test with a toothpick to see if it has hardened sufficiently. This is a great way to turn your creations into holiday ornaments, decorations, and gifts.

3. Beads and jewelry

Roll chunks of play doh into colorful balls, which can be solid colors or multi-colored. Pierce the balls all the way through with a toothpick or pencil. These beads can also be hardened and preserved by baking them in the oven for five minutes at 200 degrees. Once cooled, provide youngsters with yarn or lanyard so they may string these beads into colorful necklaces, bracelets, and jewelry.

2. Handprints

Preserve your little one’s handprint, or footprint in colorful hues! These personalized treasures can be baked, framed, and presented as gifts.

1. Vehicles

Aspiring engineers will love to sculpt vehicles, planes, cars, boats, trains, even bicycles! If you wish to float your boat on the water, wrap the bottom of the boat in tin foil, to prevent deterioration in the water.

The inspiration for Play doh actually came from a relative of the MicVickers, a school teacher seeking modeling clay varieties that would be easier for very young children to manipulate.

Joseph McVicker, who worked for Kutol Chemicals, created a variation on a non-toxic wallpaper cleaning compound, which he believed might be a good substitute for modeling clay.

Word spread like wildfire, and the McVicker’s product was showcased at a national education convention. The product was first distributed through the Rainbow Crafts company, and only available in one color and size, an off-white, one-and-a-half-pound cardboard can. Since 1956, it has sparked imaginations around the world and sold over two billion cans.