Be Free For Me Blog

A slow smile crept across my face this morning when I read that today was National Play-Doh Day.

And what a perfect Play-Doh Day it is on this dismal & misty Saturday here in New England.

Play-doh brings back such fond memories. We were never the type of family that had all the contraptions they sold that twisted and formed Play-Doh into some animal creature, jewelry, or food product.

Nope – good old fashioned creativity was required in our house.

My two sisters & I would keep busy for hours, while we kneeled on the chairs at the kitchen table, mixing and blending colors to make psychedelic Play-Doh twists and rolls, using Mom’s rolling pin, potato masher and spatulas to whip-up the best creations ever molded out of this marvelous, molding clay.

But unfortunately, kids that have celiac disease and food allergies are unable to use the traditional store-bought Play-Doh brand since it contains gluten – it’s primary ingredient is wheat flour.

That is why I am glad that there are companies out there that make gluten and allergen free play dough. These companies include Aroma Dough (Gluten-free), Soy-Yer Dough (Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Nut Free – plus they have an option for Soy Free if you check that off as a preference during check-out) and Colorations (Gluten, Nut, Egg, Dairy, Casein Free) or get real creative and make some gluten-free Play-Doh yourself by using this gluten-free play dough recipe found on the Celiac Sprue Association website.

So celebrate National Play-Doh Day gluten & allergen free! Pull up a kitchen chair, dig out the rolling pins and potato mashers, use your imagination and get the creativity flowing this afternoon!

On rainy summer afternoons, there is no better way to keep the kids occupied by having them get creative and lose themselves in the traditional childhood craft item, play-dough. But as most parents know, what ends up in their child’s hands have a way of ending up in their mouths –  which can become a serious cause of concern for children with food allergies or celiac disease.

That is why I was so excited when I ran across this excellent review of play-dough from Clara Ogren with the Baltimore Gluten-Free Examiner.

In this review Clara lists some of the gluten free and allergen free brands of play-dough that are available, as well as specifics on each type reviewed. All are gluten-free and many are also free of dairy, egg, soy, nuts, fish and shellfish; as well as fragrances, artificial colors and dyes. Check out each brands website to see which play-dough fits your specific allergen(s) or intolerance(s).

I also found a deal at Discount School Supply on the Colorations brand of play-dough, which at $22.97 for 5 ½ pounds was the best deal of all of the types that Clara reviewed. The deal that is being offered is 10% OFF your whole order by using coupon code: TENOFFEV at checkout. Please note that this special expires on Monday, August 3rd – so use it today! They also carry gluten-free and allergen-free paint, too.

Another way to save is to make your own gluten and allergen free play dough. And as a bonus, making play dough also becomes another activity to enjoy with your children on rainy afternoons! There are four recipes that Clara features in her blog – so check them out!

Have fun! And as always… play nice and be free!