Purdue student invents unique toy

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Allergies can prevent some from enjoying many things some of us take for granted, even children's toys, but one Purdue student has set out to change that.

"Soy-Yer Dough" is a gluten free modeling clay. It's made with non-toxic materials and based with either soy or rice. It's being developed by Purdue Agricultural Economics student Sawyer Sparks.

Sparks makes the product at home with the help of his fiancee Sammie Lewis and his mother. He said the idea came to him from one of his teachers.

"One of my favorite professors mentioned she had Celiac disease. I had no idea what that was but I found out it meant she was allergic to wheat. So I set out to invent to help her child, who also had Celiac disease, and make a fun scented product and that was Soy-Yer Dough," said Sparks.

Sparks' fiancee said that kids have seemed to like the toy.

"I think the best thing about it is that every kid can play with it and I've actually had personal experience talking to kids that have autism and ADHD and it's just really good because every kid can use it," said Lewis.

Soy-Yer Dough is available in various colors and scents. Sparks said while it smells good, it does not taste good. While he said it isn't harmful if eaten, he suggests only using it for play.

Sparks said he hopes Soy-Yer Dough takes off so he can create local jobs to help produce it. You can find out more about this product at Soy-Yer.com.