When the Whitney Museum of American Art staged its blockbuster retrospective of Jeff Koons in 2014, the most photographed work was undeniably Play-Doh (1994–2014), an 11-foot-tall aluminum sculpture ...

Play-Doh has been a family favorite since 1956. Though it began with simple cans of the colored dough, the brand has expanded over the years with accessories, playsets, and now, Play-Doh Touch ($40).

Play-Doh is basically nostalgia tucked inside a bright yellow container: the salty smell, primary colors, and endless opportunities. For more than 60 years, parents and kids have turned this moldable ...