While Slime Takes Over… Can We Talk About What We’re Losing?

Let me level with you.

As an ECD teacher for 16 years and now a mum of two little ones under five, I fight a constant internal slime battle.

I know exactly why children love slime. I understand the tactile benefits. I appreciate the science behind it.

But I’ve also scraped it out of a car seat, peeled it off a stroller, and, in what still feels like a personal attack, removed it from my satin pyjamas.

As far as first-world parenting problems go, this one sits right at the top of my list.

If you’ve discovered the secret to getting slime out of fabric without sacrificing your sanity, please let me know.

But here’s the thing…

While slime has become the sensory toy of the moment, I can’t help wondering whether we’ve accidentally pushed something incredibly valuable into the background.

Playdough.

The Classroom Favourite That Quietly Disappeared

When I started teaching, playdough wasn’t an occasional activity. It was part of everyday learning.

Children rolled it into snakes, squashed it into pancakes, pinched tiny pieces apart, built birthday cakes, dinosaur worlds and imaginary bakeries. No instructions. No right or wrong way. Just creativity.

Today, I see something different.

Many children spend less time with open-ended play. Activities are often more structured, and when a child is handed a ball of playdough, one of the first questions I hear is:

“What am I supposed to make?”

My favourite answer?

“Anything.”

Because that’s where the magic starts.

Why Teachers Love Playdough So Much

Most parents know playdough is good for children, but many don’t realise why.

Every squeeze, pinch, roll and twist is strengthening the tiny muscles in their hands, fingers and wrists.

Those are the very muscles children rely on to:

• Hold a pencil comfortably.
• Cut with scissors.
• Button clothes.
• Open lunch boxes.
• Draw, colour and eventually write with confidence.

Before children can master handwriting, they first need strong little hands.

Playdough is one of the simplest and most effective ways to build them.

It’s Doing More Than You Think

While your child is proudly handing you their slightly wonky dinosaur or very abstract birthday cake, they’re actually doing some serious developmental work.

They’re improving hand strength.

They’re building coordination.

They’re learning to control pressure.

They’re experimenting, solving problems and creating stories as they play.

And unlike many toys that entertain children, playdough asks them to do the thinking.

There are no flashing lights telling them what comes next.

Their imagination is in charge.

Maybe We Don’t Need More Toys

As both a teacher and a parent, I’ve learnt that children rarely need more stuff.

They need more opportunities.

Opportunities to create.

To imagine.

To make mistakes.

To squash everything flat and start again.

Ironically, the toys that often keep children busiest are usually the simplest ones.

A ball of quality playdough.

A few loose parts.

A little imagination.

That’s enough.

Slime Can Stay… But Let’s Bring Playdough Back

This isn’t an anti-slime campaign.

My children will probably still ask for slime, and I’ll probably still buy it (while silently regretting every life choice that led me there).

But I do hope we make room for playdough again.

Because behind every squish, squeeze and roll is a child building stronger hands, bigger imaginations and skills they’ll carry with them long after the dough has been packed away.

And as a teacher and mum…

That’s a mess I’m always happy to clean up.