From the Toysit archive
Play-Doh Dohville
Explore Dohville’s colorful storefront and little characters, then invent curly, spiky and wavy looks for a pretend style parade.
The play at a glance
A tiny storefront for outsized hairstyles
A red roof tops a blue storefront, with a bright green base below and little characters gathered in front. The original Dohville photograph mixes a human figure with animal characters, colorful styling tools and three cans of modeling compound. It looks like the beginning of a very small, very lively neighborhood shop.
The earlier Toysit description centers on growing and styling compound hair. It describes shaping tools and four fuzzy figures, with curls among the possible looks. That changeable hair gives each character a fresh entrance: a neat wave for one visit, an extravagant tangle for the next.
Let a shape suggest a personality
A curl, a spike and a long wave can give the same little character three different appearances. Look at the figure’s face and imagine why it has chosen its new style. A curly-haired customer might be heading to an invented party, while a spiky-haired visitor could be dressing for a pretend stage performance.
Use the supplied tools according to the directions for the particular set. The shop setting also works as a place for conversation: a character arrives, describes a wish and takes a turn. A paper sign can show the day’s imaginary styles with simple line drawings.
Try a Dohville style parade
This is an original Toysit activity. Put paper and crayons beside the play area to make a tiny parade program.
- Draw three style cards: one with curls, one with spikes and one with waves.
- Choose a character for each card. Give every style a playful name, such as Cloud Curl, Firework Points or River Wave.
- Tell why each character chose that look. The reason can be as small as wanting a style that matches an imaginary hat.
- Arrange the characters in a parade line and introduce them one at a time. A partner can announce the names while the stylist explains a favorite detail.
For a paper version, draw the figures and add their hairstyles with lines or broad strips of paper. Make a second lineup in a different order and notice how the colors and shapes sit beside one another.
Give the shop a changing display
Choose one parade card for the storefront’s pretend display, then invent a new customer who has seen it. The customer might request the same curve in a different color or ask for an extra-long wave. This keeps the story tied to a visible shape while leaving the result open to the player’s imagination.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
Play-Doh town playset comes with playdough modeling compound and fuzzy doughville figures
The Play-Doh town called Dohville has a lot to keep you busy. Grow and style fun hair on a variety of different friends. Mold little characters and use the hair dryer to curl hair on any Dohville friend. Playset comes with three cans of modeling compound, four Dohville figures, and shaping tools.
The process of playing with Play-Doh also has therapeutic benefits, providing a sensory outlet that can ease stress and promote relaxation. The act of shaping and kneading the compound can be soothing, making it a popular activity for both children and adults. As Play-Doh retains its shape until deliberately changed, it offers a sense of control over the creative process, fostering a sense of accomplishment as designs take form. Whether used as a means of artistic expression, an avenue for imaginative play, or a stress-relieving pastime, Play-Doh's enduring appeal lies in its ability to captivate hearts and hands alike.
Sources and editorial notes
The retained Toysit photograph and original text are the basis for this profile. Hasbro’s 2004 annual report mentions the Dohville Fuzzy Pet Parlor as a planned 2005 addition; it does not establish the pictured package’s complete contents or operating steps. An exact matching instruction sheet was not recovered. Three cans and four figures are described in the original account and visible in the image. Its therapeutic and developmental claims remain historical commentary. The style parade is an original, untested editorial suggestion.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site photograph reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete original product account and historical commentary preserved.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.