Play-Doh Super Sizzlin’ Kitchen: A Pasta Café With a Soundtrack

A little kitchen that supplies its own sound effects

A turn of the yellow crank sends pretend noodles out of the pasta maker. A pan moves to the stovetop, a modeling-compound meal takes shape, and a cooking sound gives the imaginary chef a cue: the café is ready for its next scene.

Play-Doh Super Sizzlin’ Kitchen, Hasbro model G2309, is a pretend-food playset for ages three and older. Its removable pasta maker has four attachments for different shapes. The kitchen also provides molds, a fries press, cooking tools, six cans of compound and two food-shaped compound containers.

An adult assembles the set and installs three AA batteries, which are not included. Follow the matching instructions to position the pot or pan and press a Play-Doh creation into it to activate the cooking sounds. The sounds belong to pretend cooking; no real heat or food is needed.

Give the pasta a part in the story

Choose one pasta attachment and watch the shape it produces as the crank turns. A long strand and a short piece suggest different dishes. Arrange the compound on a supplied plate, then invent a name that fits its appearance: Curly Comet Pasta or Garden Gate Noodles.

The tomato- and cheese-shaped containers also work as molds. A modeled topping can become the finishing detail that a guest notices. Keep real meals and drinks away from this play space: Play-Doh compound contains wheat and is not intended to be eaten.

Stage a three-scene pasta café

An original Toysit pretend-play activity: give the café a short performance with a chef, a guest and a narrator. Two people can share the roles, or one player can supply all three voices. Make a paper sign for the café and place it beside the toy.

1. Scene one: open the doors. The narrator announces the café’s name. The chef turns the pasta crank as directed and introduces the special dish. The guest invents a reason for visiting.
2. Scene two: listen for the cue. Following the toy’s illustrated directions, place the pot or pan and press the modeling food to trigger a sound. Pause the dialogue to listen, then let the narrator describe the imaginary action it suggests.
3. Scene three: serve the story. Present the pretend dish without tasting it. The guest notices one visible detail and asks the chef a question about its invented name.
4. Change one thing. Swap roles, choose another pasta shape and give the café a different visitor. Keep the same three scenes so the new character can change the conversation.
5. Make a program. Draw the finished dish and write one memorable line from the performance beneath it. A grown-up can take dictation from a younger player.

The paper program keeps a record after the compound has been reshaped. Finish by switching off the sound unit and storing the compound as directed. A later performance can begin with the same café sign and a completely different special.