Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Review: Does It Dry Out?

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty is a silicone-based, non-toxic putty that stretches, bounces, molds, pops, and tears—and our family’s tins are still just like new after more than seven years.

I originally published this review on June 29, 2019. As of July 4, 2026, we still play with our Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty all the time, and every one of our tins is still just like new.

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We received Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty in exchange for the original version of this post. All opinions, observations, photographs, and our love for Thinking Putty remain our own.

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Review

At our house, we love Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty.

We recognize that slime is trendy.

We have even made our own slime. But once you have dealt with slime in hair, clothing, carpet, and all the other places children somehow manage to put it, you may understand why slime eventually became banned at our house.

Thinking Putty became our less-chaotic alternative.

It is a silicone-based putty that can be stretched, kneaded, bounced, molded, popped, torn, and sculpted. Depending on the variety, Thinking Putty may glow in the dark, change color with heat, sparkle, shimmer, respond to magnets, or add scent to the experience.

But the biggest question readers ask is not what it does.

It is this:

Does Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty dry out?

No—not in our experience.

I originally published this review on June 29, 2019. Today is July 4, 2026, and we still own all of the Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty we reviewed.

Even better, we still play with it all the time.

After more than seven years of regular family use, every one of our Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty tins is still just like new.

That gives me a much better answer than a quick unboxing ever could.

Why We Still Love Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

Thinking Putty works for our family because it offers open-ended play without requiring directions, screens, batteries, or an elaborate setup.

There is no one correct thing to make.

Stretch it slowly.

Tear it quickly.

Roll it into a ball and try to bounce it.

Fold it to trap air and make it pop.

Mold it into a shape, then squish the whole thing back together and start again.

Our original tins also gave us something beyond basic putty. Feathered Flamingo changed color with heat, while Smiling Sloth had a completely different color and sparkle effect.

For children who love tactile play, older kids who like something to keep their hands busy, collectors who enjoy unusual effects, or families looking for a reusable alternative to homemade slime, there is a lot to explore.

What Is Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Made Of?

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty is made with silicone. The exact formulas and special effects vary by product, but Thinking Putty is designed as a reusable, non-toxic play material.

It is a toy, not food, so it should not be eaten.

Parents should also check the age recommendation on the individual tin or package. Different Thinking Putty products and specialty effects may have different warnings or age guidelines.

When I first wrote this review in 2019, I introduced Crazy Aaron as my new friend: a computer programmer by day and a mad scientist by night who knew enough chemistry to create what he called Thinking Putty.

That was part of the fun of the story for me.

The different colors, textures, and effects made the putty feel like something to experiment with rather than simply another toy with one correct way to play.

How to Play with Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

One of my favorite things about Thinking Putty is that it does not arrive with a long list of rules telling children what they are supposed to create.

You can:

• Stretch it slowly into long strands.
• Tear it with a quick pull.
• Roll it into a ball and try to bounce it.
• Mold and sculpt it into shapes.
• Fold and squeeze it to create popping sounds.
• Knead heat-sensitive putty to watch the color change.

The labeling on our original tins was basic.

Minimal text.

No elaborate play instructions.

But that was part of the beauty of it.

No one was putting boundaries on the play.

The Two Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Tins We Tested

Our original review featured two very different Thinking Putty varieties: Feathered Flamingo and Smiling Sloth.

These specific tins gave us a chance to see how much the color, texture, sparkle, and special effects could change the play experience.

Feathered Flamingo Hypercolor Thinking Putty

We started with Crazy Aaron’s Feathered Flamingo.

It was coral pink, which immediately had my attention.

At first glance, it looked almost matte.

Then I looked closer.

Sparkle.

Feathered Flamingo was very pliable and had an incredible stretch.

It was also a Hypercolor putty, which means warmth changed its appearance.

As we handled and kneaded it for longer periods, the coral color shifted toward a paler pink.

That gave the kids something immediate to experiment with: How quickly could they change the color, and what would happen as it cooled again?

Smiling Sloth Thinking Putty

Then there was Crazy Aaron’s Smiling Sloth Thinking Putty.

Because, seriously?

Who does not love a smiling sloth?

This Thinking Putty was a grayish-brown color with golden sparkle flecks that reminded us of sloth fur.

Like the other Thinking Putty we tried, it could be stretched, kneaded, bounced, molded, popped, and torn.

What I liked was that the play remained familiar even when the look and special effects changed.

Why Is the Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Tin So Hard to Open?

Here is the most specific tip in this entire Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty review, and more than seven years later, it is still one of the most useful.

Store the tin face-up, with the label facing the ceiling.

If you leave the tin on its side or upside down, the putty can settle against the lid.

Then you may need Hulk-like strength to get that lid off.

Store it flat, label side up, and twist the lid rather than trying to pull it straight off.

It is such a small detail, but it can save a lot of frustration.

Does Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Dry Out?

No—not in our experience.

I originally published this Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty review on June 29, 2019.

Today is July 4, 2026.

We still own the same Thinking Putty.

We still play with it all the time.

After more than seven years of regular family use, every one of our Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty tins is still just like new.

The putty still stretches, kneads, molds, pops, and plays the way it did when we first opened the tins in 2019.

Ours has not dried out, hardened, or become unusable.

“As of July 4, 2026, we still play with our Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty all the time—and every tin is still just like new.”

That is not a claim based on a quick unboxing or a few weeks of testing.

It is our real experience after more than seven years of owning, using, and regularly playing with the product.

Thinking Putty can still collect lint, hair, fabric fibers, dust, crumbs, or other debris if it is played with on dirty surfaces.

That is different from drying out.

The best way to keep it in good condition is simple: play with clean hands, keep it away from dirty or fuzzy surfaces, and put it back in its tin when you are finished.

Is Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Messy?

For normal tabletop and hand play, we found Thinking Putty far less chaotic than slime.

But I also want to correct something from the original version of this review.

I once wrote that it did not stick to clothing, carpet, walls, or hair.

That was too absolute.

Thinking Putty can become worked into clothing, carpet, hair, bedding, upholstery, and other fibers if it is sat on, left in a pocket, or pressed into fabric.

So while our family has found it easier to manage than slime, it is not completely mess-proof.

Remove as much putty as possible before treating a spot. Because putty sticks to itself, a clean piece of putty may help lift away smaller pieces.

For washable fabric, isopropyl rubbing alcohol may help loosen silicone-based putty. Always check the fabric-care instructions first and test any cleaning method in an inconspicuous area.

For delicate materials or a stubborn stain, a professional cleaner is the safer choice.

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty vs. Slime

At our house, Thinking Putty won this contest.

I say that with affection for the many times we have enjoyed making slime.

Slime is fun to mix because making it is part of the activity.

But it can also dry out, leak from containers, become sticky, and create cleanup problems.

Thinking Putty is ready to use as soon as the tin opens. It goes back into the same container when play is finished, and our tins have lasted for more than seven years.

That does not make it mess-proof.

Please do not leave it in a pocket and send it through the laundry.

But for our family, Thinking Putty has been much easier to store, reuse, and enjoy long-term than homemade slime.

How to Store Thinking Putty So It Lasts

Thinking Putty does not require a complicated storage routine.

• Return it to its tin after playing.
• Store the tin flat and face-up.
• Keep the putty away from lint, hair, crumbs, dust, and dirty surfaces.
• Use clean, dry hands whenever possible.
• Do not leave the putty loose on fabric, bedding, upholstery, or carpet.
• Check the individual package for any special instructions.

My most important rule remains the simplest one:

Label up.

Your future self, standing in the kitchen trying to open the tin, will thank you.

Is Aaron’s Thinking Putty Toxic?

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty is designed as a non-toxic play product.

However, non-toxic does not mean edible.

Thinking Putty is a toy. Keep it out of mouths, supervise children as appropriate, and follow the age recommendation and safety information on the specific product.

Some specialty putties or kits may have different warnings, so the individual package should always be your guide.

Who Is Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Best For?

Based on our family’s experience, Thinking Putty is a good fit for:

• Kids who enjoy tactile and open-ended play.
• Families looking for a reusable alternative to homemade slime.
• Older kids and adults who like something to keep their hands busy.
• Collectors who enjoy unusual colors and special effects.
• Gift baskets, travel bags, stockings, and small seasonal surprises.

The biggest advantage is that children do not need a complicated setup to begin playing.

Open the tin.

Twist, stretch, bounce, sculpt, pop, and experiment.

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Pros and Cons

What We Like

• Every one of our tins is still just like new after more than seven years.
• We still play with the putty regularly.
• There are many colors, textures, and special effects.
• The play is open-ended.
• It can stretch, bounce, mold, pop, and tear.
• The tin makes storage easy when used properly.
• Different effects give children new things to explore.

What Parents Should Know

• Putty can become embedded in fabric, carpet, or hair.
• It can collect lint and debris if played with on dirty surfaces.
• The lid can be difficult to open if the tin is stored sideways or upside down.
• Age recommendations may vary for specialty products.
• Specific colors and effects may change over time.

One More Reason I Like the Crazy Aaron’s Story

There is another detail from my original review that has always mattered to me.

Crazy Aaron’s has worked with Philadelphia-area vocational centers to help provide employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.

I appreciate finding a toy that encouraged creative play in our home and also had a larger story behind how it was made.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

Does Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty dry out?

No, not in our experience. I first published this review on June 29, 2019, and as of July 4, 2026, our family still regularly plays with the same Thinking Putty. Every one of our tins is still just like new after more than seven years.

Is Aaron’s Thinking Putty toxic?

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty is designed as a non-toxic play product. It is still a toy, not food, and should not be eaten.

What is Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty made of?

Thinking Putty is made with silicone. The specific formulas, colors, textures, and special effects vary by product.

How long does Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty last?

Our family’s Thinking Putty has lasted for more than seven years. We started playing with our tins in 2019, and as of July 4, 2026, they are still just like new and still played with regularly.

Why is my Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty tin hard to open?

The putty may have settled against the lid. Store the tin flat with the label facing up, then twist the lid instead of trying to pull it straight off.

Does Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty stick to clothes or carpet?

It can become worked into clothing, carpet, hair, and other fibers. Remove as much putty as possible first, then follow the care instructions for the affected fabric or material.

Is Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty better than slime?

That depends on what you enjoy. Slime is fun to make, but our family found Thinking Putty easier to store and reuse. Our Thinking Putty has also lasted for more than seven years.

What age is Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty for?

Age recommendations can vary by product, especially for specialty effects or kits. Check the individual tin or package before giving Thinking Putty to a child.

Final Thoughts on Our Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty Review

I originally wrote this review on June 29, 2019.

Today is July 4, 2026.

More than seven years later, our family still has all of the same Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty—and we still play with it all the time.

Every tin is still just like new.

It still stretches.

It still bounces.

It still molds, pops, tears, and keeps our hands busy.

The Feathered Flamingo still gives us its fun color-changing experience, and these tins have survived more than seven years of real family life.

So, does Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty dry out?

After more than seven years of regular use, ours has not.

That is why this is no longer just a review of two tins we opened in 2019.

It is a genuine long-term Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty review based on more than seven years of owning, using, and playing with the product.

Just remember the two rules we learned the hard way: keep it away from fabric and store the tin face-up.

Because this is not your parents’ putty.

And at our house, it certainly outlasted the slime phase.