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Putty, Slime & Therapy Dough

Putty, slime, and therapy dough provide a more hands-on sensory experience through molding and shaping. Unlike smaller fidgets, these materials allow for full-hand engagement and varying levels of resistance, as the formulation, size, and sensory features are adapted to age and context.

Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty

Putty and slime work by providing malleable, hands-on sensory input. When you squeeze, stretch, roll, or mold them, your hands get continuous tactile feedback, which can be both calming and engaging. The resistance and texture stimulate the sense of touch and help release tension, improve focus, or strengthen hand muscles. Unlike rigid fidgets, putty and slime allow for full-hand interaction and creative manipulation, making them versatile tools for sensory regulation or stress relief.

Putty, slime, and dough are commonly used by children and teens for sensory exploration and fine motor development, while adults may use them for relaxation or strengthening exercises in therapeutic or home environments. 

What's the Difference Between Putty, Slime, and Therapy Dough?

Putty, slime, and therapy dough all fall under the category of tactile, hands-on sensory materials, but they differ in texture, purpose, and use.

  • Putty is firmer and more elastic than slime, offering resistance when stretched, pinched, or kneaded. It’s often used for stress relief, hand strengthening, and fine motor exercises.
  • Slime is softer, stretchier, and more fluid than putty. Slime is primarily for fun and sensory play. Cloud slime, fluffy slime, or glitter slime are popular varieties that focus on texture and visual appeal.
  • Therapy dough is firmer than both putty and slime and is specifically designed for rehabilitation, hand therapy, and occupational exercises. It provides graded resistance to help improve grip strength, dexterity, and coordination.

Putty and Slime for Kids vs for Adults

Putty and slime for kids are usually brightly colored, sometimes scented, and designed to be soft and stretchy. They’re great for sensory exploration, fine motor skill development, and imaginative play. Supervision is recommended for younger children to prevent ingestion or messy play, and larger quantities are better for small hands.

Adult putty tends to be firmer, unscented, and comes in smaller, portable portions suitable for desk use. It’s often used for stress relief, hand strengthening, or focus during work or study. Adults generally prefer subtle colors and cleaner textures, making it practical for professional or home settings.

My Favorite Putty, Slime & Therapy Dough Options

Slime isn’t just a fun toy, it’s a tactile experience that can help you sooth. From soft, stretchy textures to firmer, moldable varieties, slime products let you squish, pull, and shape with your hands, providing satisfying sensory feedback that can help relieve stress or keep restless fingers busy. Below are some of my favorite options, covering a wide range of products for different ages and therapeutic needs.

Other Sensory Toys

Each category of fidget toy offers a unique kind of sensory input—from the rhythmic spinning of a fidget spinner to the deep pressure of a stress ball or the soothing visuals of a liquid motion toy. These inputs can help regulate the nervous system, improve attention, and provide a healthy outlet for restlessness or anxiety. For children, they may support learning and emotional development; for adults, they often serve as subtle stress-management tools in work or social settings. Here are more sensory toys to explore!

More fidget toys: Fidget Spinners – Magnetic Fidget Toys – Pop-Its and Bubble Toys – Textured & Tactile Fidgets – Chewable Fidget Toys – Fidget Cubes and Shapes – Putty, Slime & Therapy Dough – Stress Balls and Squishies – Visual Sensory Toys

More fidget toys: Fidget Spinners – Magnetic Fidget Toys – Pop-Its and Bubble Toys – Textured & Tactile Fidgets – Chewable Fidget Toys – Fidget Cubes and Shapes – Putty, Slime & Therapy Dough – Stress Balls and Squishies – Visual Sensory Toys