# The weird stuff at kindergarten I touched today...what was it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 29, 2017, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376 "2017-07-29T10:16:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/1 "2017-07-29T10:16:30Z")
Toddled off to the grandson’s Open Day at kinder today and was suitably impressed by the art table, reading mat, sandpits and veggie plots UNTIL I came across a basin of STUFF that defied explanation. It looked like clumps of clay (with a few plastic dinosaurs thrown in) but it was super malleable, light-weight AND left my hands feeling unnaturally smooth after touching it. Damned freaky stuff. Any ideas? Oh, btw, not kinetic sand…we’ve got that shit down pat! ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/2 "2017-07-29T12:18:47Z")
All I can say is, let’s keep this thread going – it’s sure to produce an epically funny “sequential threads” moment! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/3 "2017-07-29T12:50:02Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Oh, btw, not kinetic sand…we’ve got that shit down pat! That’s interesting. Never heard of kinetic sand before. When I was a kid, [magic sand](http://www.skooldays.com/categories/toys/ty1136.htm) was the thing. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/4 "2017-07-29T14:45:45Z")
There are a number of products on the market for children to model that resemble Play-Doh, except they are light-weight, and don’t crumble as much, so they aren’t as messy. They are more expensive than Play-Doh, but the fact that they don’t get tracked around make the investment worth it to a lot of preschools/kindergartens. They have mineral oil as an ingredient, which is why it feels like you just put on lotion after you used them. They also generally don’t have wheat as an ingredient, which Play-Doh does, making it difficult in places where some kids are on gluten-free diets. Yes, I know Play-Doh isn’t a food, but with kids under 6, all bets are off. You get a gluten-free modeling compound, and there’s nothing to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/5 "2017-07-29T15:23:17Z")
Slime? It’s easy enough to make. ---
**Author:** ![Tara57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Tara57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tara57)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/6 "2017-07-29T20:23:33Z")
Maybe Crayola Model Magic ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/7 "2017-07-29T21:59:36Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Toddled off to the grandson’s Open Day at kinder today and was suitably impressed by the art table, reading mat, sandpits and veggie plots UNTIL I came across a basin of STUFF that defied explanation. > > It looked like clumps of clay (with a few plastic dinosaurs thrown in) but it was super malleable, light-weight AND left my hands feeling unnaturally smooth after touching it. Damned freaky stuff. > > Any ideas? Oh, btw, not kinetic sand…we’ve got that shit down pat! [Polymer clay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_clay)? ---
**Author:** ![Magicicada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c67d28/32.png) [@Magicicada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magicicada)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2017, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/8 "2017-07-30T02:48:54Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > They also generally don’t have wheat as an ingredient, which Play-Doh does, making it difficult in places where some kids are on gluten-free diets. Yes, I know Play-Doh isn’t a food, but with kids under 6, all bets are off. You get a gluten-free modeling compound, and there’s nothing to worry about. Play-Doh is delicious. That’s all. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2017, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/9 "2017-07-30T03:59:48Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > There are a number of products on the market for children to model that resemble Play-Doh, except they are light-weight, and don’t crumble as much, so they aren’t as messy. They are more expensive than Play-Doh, but the fact that they don’t get tracked around make the investment worth it to a lot of preschools/kindergartens. They have mineral oil as an ingredient, which is why it feels like you just put on lotion after you used them. > [@Canadjun](#): > > [Polymer clay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_clay)? I’m assuming these are one and the same thing, and sounds like I now have a name for the strange stuff at kinder. Thanks folks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/10 "2017-07-31T07:13:42Z")
Poly-clay would not leave your hands feeling soft and lotioned, nor is it lightweight. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/11 "2017-07-31T08:43:07Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Poly-clay would not leave your hands feeling soft and lotioned, nor is it lightweight. Yeah. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/12 "2017-07-31T09:24:47Z")
> [@Tara57](#): > > Maybe Crayola Model Magic I reckon this is probably it. [Apparently](http://www.michaels.com/crayola-model-magic-4oz/M10602292.html) it’s lightweight and flexible, and is extremely likely to be found at a kindergarten. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/13 "2017-07-31T14:14:27Z")
Aren’t you Australian? God only knows what manner of Horrors exist down there. Whatever it was will probably kill you. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/14 "2017-07-31T14:20:41Z")
Maybe some sort of foam clay modelling material - like this: [http://www.bakerross.co.uk/foam-clay-classpack?&mkwid=sbzm9f2CP\_dc&pcrid=161504394622&kword=&match=&plid=&utm\_source=google&utm\_term=&utm\_campaign=BR+|+UK+|+Shopping&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_content=sbzm9f2CP|pcrid|161504394622|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpfe6q9uz1QIVrbztCh1PUghOEAQYAiABEgIcs\_D\_BwE](http://www.bakerross.co.uk/foam-clay-classpack?&mkwid=sbzm9f2CP_dc&pcrid=161504394622&kword=&match=&plid=&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=BR+%7C+UK+%7C+Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=sbzm9f2CP%7Cpcrid%7C161504394622%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cpdv%7Cc%7C&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpfe6q9uz1QIVrbztCh1PUghOEAQYAiABEgIcs_D_BwE) It’s a sort of stretchy polymer clay, but with the texture and weight of soft foam rubber. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/15 "2017-07-31T19:48:10Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Aren’t you Australian? > > God only knows what manner of Horrors exist down there. Whatever it was will probably kill you. Probably drop bear droppings. Difficult to harvest, as the droppings are most often quickly followed by the deadly drop for which the bear is named, but demand and price are high enough that brave entrepreneurs continue to risk life under the limbs to make a quick fortune. Some will tell you that the secret is proper protective clothing, but piles of Kevlar and carbon fiber scattered under the trees speak otherwise. Nay, the way to get rich from collecting drop bear droppings (and you are sworn to secrecy here) is to be the 2nd hunter on the scene. It’s easier to gather the prize and get away while the drop bear is devouring the first hunter. But do beware - though not normally social creatures, drop bears are incredibly smart when it comes to procuring meals. They are catching on to the 2nd hunter trick and recently have been observed working in pairs - one drops and one lingers until the 2nd hunter arrives. So you may want to go 3rd. Until… ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/16 "2017-07-31T20:03:59Z")
You could ask your grandson’s parents to ask. I remember asking my son’s preschool teacher what “go together toys” were, as she told the parents they’d play with them every day. Answer: Anything like Legos, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs–toys which could be stuck together. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/17 "2017-07-31T21:15:51Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > You could ask your grandson’s parents to ask. I remember asking my son’s preschool teacher what “go together toys” were, as she told the parents they’d play with them every day. > > Answer: Anything like Legos, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs–toys which could be stuck together. Also, the rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/18 "2017-07-31T22:25:03Z")
My Wife is a kindergarten teacher and she regularly finds things that defy explanation. Just because it was on the table, it doesn’t mean that it belonged there. Just Sayin’. Did it glow in the dark, perchance? ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/19 "2017-07-31T23:11:34Z")
Maybe it was an experiment, like making plastic out of milk or corn starch. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376/20 "2017-08-01T01:03:48Z")
At a kid’s toy booth at the fair the other day, there was this combination sand-Play Dough conglomeration, conveniently packaged with a tiny plastic pool to keep it in and squish it. Mrs Duck wasn’t sure and the grandson is too young, but it looked pretty cool to me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-weird-stuff-at-kindergarten-i-touched-today-what-was-it/792376.md?page=2)