WILMOT VALLEY, P.E.I. – Brittany Kember is hoping to provide an all-natural alternative to a classic childhood toy.
The Wilmot Valley resident, a former early childhood educator, saw the benefits of Play-Doh first hand in her career.
“It would be a great sensory stimulating tool,” said Kember. “It also really helped to calm the kids down if they were expressing certain behaviors.
“The kids always loved it. And the options for creativity are endless. But kids being kids, I’d see them break some off and put it in their mouth.”
As a result, Kember founded Delicious Dough, an all-natural alternative that features a material with a similar texture as Play-Doh.
“It’s safer if kids eat it. The base mainly consists of flour and cream of tartar,” she said.
Play-Doh was created in the mid-1950s and is currently owned by Hasbro.
“There seems to be a trend that people are looking for a more natural or safer option to replace current things in their lifestyle. And I’m the same way. Whether its naturally made toys for the kids or alternatives in my own lifestyle.”
Delicious Dough has a lifespan of around two to three months. So far, Kember has tried to expand the “flavours” of the dough to include blueberry, double chocolate, birthday cake, carrot cake and lemonade.
“I plan to make some fall flavours like pumpkin spice. At Christmas I made gingerbread, Christmas tree and candy cane flavours too,” she said. “With each season I’ll make themed flavours which is something the look forward to.”
Kember uses glass bottles to preserve the product for a long period of time.
“I also use glass because I don’t want to add to number of plastic products being created. And if parents keep the jar and come back for more dough they get a deal on the price.”
She hopes to have tables set up at a Summerside kids’ boutique in the coming months as well as a table at the Summerside Farmer’s Market.
For now, she’s starting the business slowly and enjoying her time as a new mom to newborn Matthias.
For more information about Delicious Dough, head to their Facebook page at facebook.com/DeliciousDoughCreations.
Twitter.com/JPMillicentMcK
