Play products

Although there are some play products that children need to avoid, there are also plenty of gluten-free alternatives available.

Gluten-free

Crayola: Model Magic, Modelling Clay
ColArt products: Reeves Redimix paints, Tempera based block paints, Tempera based powder paints, Early Learning Centre: paints, crayons, inks and air hardening clay, Ocaldo Ready Mixed Poster Paints
Pritt: Stick Glue, PVA glue

Not gluten-free

Crayola: dough
Early Learning Centre: Soft stuff and Magic Maize products
Ivanhoe: Model dough and Salt dough
Play Doh: Play Doh and similar products used by children are not gluten-free.  Play Doh contains 40% wheat flour and coeliac children playing with this should be supervised to ensure that they do not eat it.  Home-made play dough, which is often used in nurseries and playgroups, is usually made almost entirely from wheat flour.  In order to make the dough unpalatable so that children are not encouraged to eat it, it contains a very high proportion of salt as well as food colouring. 
Try making your own with our special recipe:

Gluten-free playdough recipe

1 cup of rice flour
1 cup of cornflour
1 cup salt
4 tsps of cream of tartar
2 cups water
2 tbsps vegetable oil
Food colouring
Nb 1 cup = 8oz

Method

• Put all the ingredients into a saucepan.
• Cook over a low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring well all the time.  The mixture is very runny to start with but gradually firms up.
• Remove from the heat and knead on a table or large board to remove any lumps.
• Roll into a large ball and store in an airtight tub. It will keep for several months.