Play dough on the airplane?

[annhjk]

Does anyone know if I can bring playdough on the airplane? It's not a liquid so I think it would be okay. But I don't want to plan on it being something to entertain DS3, then have to throw it away.

 

[JenLanDisney]

I have brought it twice on an airplane last year. No problem.

 

[BiancaBernard&Penny]

I hadn't thought of that idea or the possibility of it being treated as a liquid/gel. At any rate, I'd only be willing to take 2 or 3 of those 1 ounce sized tubs anyway... at 2 1/2, Penny isn't much of a colour connoisseur, anyway.

 

[shellybaxter]

I would never take playdough on an airplane. I'm not a playdough hater, I love the stuff - I've taught preschool for twenty years, but even at school we play with it on the tile area, not the carpet. I can't imagine the mess (or even damage to carpets or other people's carry ons) it could make on a plane.

 

[CarolA]

Does Playdough still smell? I seem to recall it having a fairly strong smell!

If it does the FA may ask you to close it up. Things that "smell" strongly (besides food) are frowned upon by most airlines. (You should see the FA descend on the poor unknowing lady who thinks she will do her nails on a flight for example!)

 

[bz8bls]

Took some earlier this year for DGC and no one said anything.

Didn't think to ask

 

[kato0627]

We used to take Model Magic on the plane. You can buy it from A.C Moore
for 2.00 or so per pack. It does not smell and is not the same consistency of play doh. It does not crumble so it is easy to play with.

 

[bavaria]

I would never take playdough on an airplane. I'm not a playdough hater, I love the stuff - I've taught preschool for twenty years, but even at school we play with it on the tile area, not the carpet. I can't imagine the mess (or even damage to carpets or other people's carry ons) it could make on a plane.

One of our regular posters reported a permanent stain on a suit thanks to Playdough on an airplane.

I would not bring it due to the risk of it being considered a gel, the smell, and the mess.

One of our former posters used to suggest the old fashioned toy of pipe cleaners - cheap and entertaining.

 

[Singinglizzie]

Believe it or not, some "Aspergers" kids have a strong reaction to the smell of playdough and it "sets" them off. This was one of the triggers for my kid when he was little but I always thought he was just over reacting until I learned otherwise. I would recommend a type that has no smell. If this helps any, I always bought a few new toys from the dollar stores to bring on the plane to help occupy my kids. Coloring books and crayons always worked for us too. Have fun on your trip.

 

[jenndisney]

I for one hate the smell of play dough. On one leg of our flight in December, the FA had to ask a family to put theirs away (I was not the one who complained). The mom than pulled out markers and paper. Again, the smell was crazy and the FA asked them to put those away also. We then had to deal with three upset toddlers who could not understand why their toy was taken away. I say, just bring something that you know is not a risk.

Have a great trip.

 

[Sleepy]

Does Playdough still smell? I seem to recall it having a fairly strong smell!

If it does the FA may ask you to close it up. Things that "smell" strongly (besides food) are frowned upon by most airlines. (You should see the FA descend on the poor unknowing lady who thinks she will do her nails on a flight for example!)

The smell of that stuff makes me nauseous.

 

[Carriemel]

I, for one, am highly allergic to Play-doh. My throat closes off and I can't breathe if I'm anywhere near a tub of opened Play-doh. I know that I'd be kinda upset if someone in the enclosed tube of an airplane opened a tub of that stuff.

But Play-doh is considered a paste/gel and would be limited to the same liquids and gels allowances of 3.4 ounces per container and however many of those containers would fit into a quart-size ziploc bag.

 

[Jaymie]

I've taken it a few times, never had a problem. But now I just stick to the DVD player and my DS is good for the whole trip.

 

[yakarual]

Our playdough was confiscated by airport security about a year ago. We had specifically bought playdough to keep my son happy on the plane, it was brand-new and it was in 2-oz. containers. Airport security would not let us take it on the plane even in a quart-size bag. It never occured to me that it might be a problem. I am jealous of all the other people who replied to this post who said they had no problem!

 

[DebbieB]

Plastic explosives are sometimes hidden in playdough like substances, which might be why security confiscated it.

I don't think it's appropriate to bring on a plane, the smell is bad plus the mess it could make if it's dropped on the floor or the seat and stepped on or sat on.

 

[Andrea from PA]

I would be THAT passenger who requests you put it away.

The odor causes massive migraines for me.

Even if it is permitted on the plane, please consider that things with strong odors, esp in the close confines of a plane, can cause health reactions from others.

 

[DVCBELLE]

OP - I looked on the TSA and it isn't a prohibited item so if you want to try the smaller tubes you should have no problem -

I wouldn't worry about it other reactions to you bringing it - if your child cries through the whole trip it will irritate others, if your child has playdough and is content they will complain about the smell - I have even had people tell me if my child is chatty it will irritate them - you just can't please everyone so do what is right for you.

I get migraines from perfumes, bath and body works spray, too much hand lotion but that certainly doesn't stop other people from wearing them. The sound of another person chewing gum annoys me to the point I want to scream but people still do it. I know I can't control what other people do.

 

[JennSaint]

Does Playdough still smell? I seem to recall it having a fairly strong smell!

If it does the FA may ask you to close it up. Things that "smell" strongly (besides food) are frowned upon by most airlines. (You should see the FA descend on the poor unknowing lady who thinks she will do her nails on a flight for example!)

Yes playdough still has the awful smell. I would suggest looking for a recipe and make your own. I was a preschool teacher for 6 years and we made our own playdough and it didn't have a smell. But I would say all playdough can make a mess especially on a carpet.

 

[bavaria]

One of our very regular posters here reported that she sat in playdough on an airplane and it permanently stained/ruined her suit. Bringing things like this show a lack of respect for your fellow travellers especially since we have seen several different reactions here explaining why it is not airplane-friendly.

There are many other toys you can bring, such as pipe cleaners or window clings, which keep children occupied. It doesn't need to be playdough.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay...before this starts going down the tube, so to speak, let's look at it logically.
If you know that there could, and probably will be, those on your plane that will be negatively impacted by the smell of something, why risk bringing it? To the poster who said you would probably be okay and smelling play-doh is better than listening to kids cry for a flight....if the stuff isn't brough onboard in the first place, no crying will occur.
There are plenty of less objectionable things you can bring with you. I like the smell of Play-doh, but my dh gets physically nauseated when he smells it.....used to love playing with it, now have to moosh it around when he isn't there!!!
Just try to be sensitive to other travelers. Leave the heavy colognes, sardine sandwiches, play-doh all at home. One person's idea of a lovely smell could very well be someone else's nightmare.