Easy Cloud Dough Recipe: Fluffy Fun for Sensory Seekers
If you’re looking for a simple recipe that’s a great alternative to traditional play dough, check out this DIY cloud dough recipe! It’s the ultimate sensory dough that little kids (and big kids too) love to play with as they develop fine motor skills and explore the amazing texture! And the lemon scent adds another level to this amazing sensory experience!
Cloud dough is the delightfully squishy and versatile material that has been taking the crafting and sensory play world by storm. It’s moldable, crumbly, and soft, and only requires two main ingredients!
If you haven’t experimented with cloud dough before, your kids are in for an exciting and amusing adventure!
Believe it or not, making this cloud-like concoction is as easy as pie – well, actually easier. All you need is cornstarch and conditioner, and voilà, you’ve got yourself a ball of joy.
Be prepared to watch your child immerse their hands in this delightful mixture, creating shapes, sculptures, and some happy memories too!
And unlike homemade play dough, you can also rest easy knowing that cloud dough is gluten-free and doesn’t leave a sticky mess.
If you love creating sensory experiences for your kids, check out my:
- Edible Playdough with Nutella
- DIY Rainbow Spaghetti For Sensory Fun
- How To Make Fluffy Slime With Only 4 Ingredients
- Orange Glitter Fall Slime Recipe
- Simple Under The Sea Ocean Sensory Bin For Kids
What is Cloud Dough
Cloud dough is all the rage these days in the world of sensory play. It’s like holding a cloud in your hand without the fear of falling off.
You see, cloud dough offers a unique, silky texture that makes playtime even more enjoyable. It’s soft, smooth, and simply irresistible. But wait, there’s more!
It’s also perfect for all those little hands exploring their world through touch.
What is the difference between cloud dough and play dough?
Traditional play dough is stiffer and dough-ier, while cloud dough is a fun twist that has a soft and grainy texture – almost like wet sand or kinetic sand.
So next time you’re looking for an exciting sensory play adventure, remember cloud dough. With its dreamy texture and ease of creation, it’s a crowd-pleasing fun sensory material!
How to Make Cloud Dough at Home
Making cloud dough is even easier than making playdough (which is easy!). Here’s how to make this fun sensory experience.
Simple Ingredients Needed
Hey there, DIY enthusiast! Here’s what you’ll need to have on hand for this 2-ingredient cloud dough recipe.
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup white conditioner
- Yellow food coloring
- Lemon resin flatback buttons
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Plastic mat
- Lemon essential oil (optional for scent)
Make This Easy Cloud Dough Recipe
This process for making this homemade cloud dough recipe couldn’t be easier! Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1
Add the cornstarch to the large mixing bowl.
Step 2
Pour in the conditioner.
Step 3
Mix well until combined. The outcome of the dough should be a smooth, soft, and silky texture and not sticky.
NOTE: If you get a mixture that is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the mixture and mix well. Continue this step until you get the desired texture.
Step 4
Add 10-20 drops of yellow food coloring and mix well until you get an even yellow color to the dough. Add the desired amount of lemon oil for slime.
Step 5
Remove the dough from the bowl and shape it into a ball, using the plastic mat to protect your workspace.
Step 6
Add the lemon buttons to the dough.
Step 7
Let your kiddo play with the end result! This fluffy cloud dough is a great sensory activity for young children (and your big kid(s) too)!
Adding Colors and Scents to Cloud Dough
Why stop at plain cloud dough when you can make it even more magical? If you want a variation on this lemon cloud dough recipe, here’s how to add a splash of color and some lovely scents
Colors
- If you find that the method outlined above gives streaky color, try adding a few drops of food coloring directly into the conditioner (pre-mix!)
- Mix it well to create a uniform hue and continue making cloud dough as described above.
You can also try creating a whole rainbow of cloud dough by making a new batch of cloud dough for each color or making a super large batch (using multiples of the ratio in the recipe) and dividing it up to make different colors! ROYGBIV would be proud.
Scents
- My favorite way is to add essential oil. This recipe calls for lemon, but you could also make a calming lavender variety or rosemary or whatever scent you and your kids like!
- Choose a scented conditioner or add a few drops of baby lotion to your unscented go-to
Exploring Fun Variations of Cloud Dough
If you want some variation ideas to this fun cloud dough recipe, try these ideas below! Using flour and oil is another way to create this super silky texture, so these recipes include that method too.
Chocolate Cloud Dough
Do you love chocolate? Then this one’s for you! Here’s how:
- 8 cups of flour
- 1 cup of cocoa powder
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
Mix them together, and voila! You’ve got yourself some scrumptious chocolate cloud dough. Although it won’t hurt your kids, I don’t recommend eating this dough.
Glittery Galaxy Cloud Dough
Step aside, plain old cloud dough – glittery galaxy dough is here to sparkle its way into your life. Here’s how:
- 8 cups of flour
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
- Food coloring of your choice (we love purple and blue)
- Glorious amounts of glitter (a little goes a long way!)
Combine the ingredients and watch your dough turn into a mesmerizing galaxy of sparkles.
Kool-Aid dough Recipe
Fan of Kool-Aid? We got you covered. This Kool-Aid playdough recipe will bring a burst of color and fun to your dough-making endeavors. You’ll need:
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup white conditioner
- 1 packet of Kool-Aid
Mix everything together until it becomes a dough-like consistency. Voila – you’ve got vibrant, colorful cloud dough that smells incredible!
If your kiddo is likely to try eating their cloud dough, use 8 cups of flour and 1 cup of vegetable oil instead of cornstarch and conditioner.
Sensory Benefits of Cloud Dough
Who knew a simple concoction of flour and oil could create such joy and wonder for little hands?
As your tiny tots engage with cloud dough through various sensory activities, they inadvertently work on their motor skills. Squishing, squeezing, and molding the dough, they strengthen their hand muscles and dexterity!
Move over, Candy Land – it’s time for sensory activities! Cloud dough isn’t just about motor skills; it also opens the door to fantastic sensory-focused games for preschoolers. A treasure hunt here, a hide-and-seek there, and your little ones will be honing their exploratory faculties while enjoying themselves.
FAQs
Whipping up cloud dough can be a piece of cake, and it only requires two ingredients! Simply combine cornstarch and conditioner for a fluffy, versatile dough that you can use in sensory play activities. So grab your mixing bowl, and enjoy the process!
Yes, you can make cloud dough without cornstarch. If you find yourself cornstarch-less, don’t worry! Swap out the cornstarch for equal parts of baby powder or arrowroot powder. You could also use flour (but not for anyone who is gluten intolerant).
If you don’t want to use traditional food coloring, try experimenting with natural food coloring options such as turmeric or beet powder.
You can use hair shampoo, baby oil, hand lotion, baby lotion, or even body lotion!
As long as you store your fluffy masterpiece in an airtight container, it should last up to a few weeks. But keep in mind, like all good things in life (and dough), it might get a little dry over time. Just add a touch of lotion or water to revive it back to its original fluffy glory.
Store it in any air-tight container (mason jar, plastic bag, Tupperware, plastic bin, etc.) at room temperature.
Yes! They are two different names for the same thing (also sometimes called moon sand). NOTE: depending on the ingredients you use, the consistency may vary a little.
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Lemon Cloud Dough
Ingredients
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup white conditioner
- Yellow food coloring
- Lemon resin flatback buttons
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Plastic mat
- Lemon essential oil (optional for scent)
Instructions
- Add the cornstarch to the mixing bowl.
- Pour in the conditioner.
- Mix well until combined. The outcome of the dough should be a smooth, soft, and silky texture and not sticky. If you get a mixture that is too sticky, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the mixture and mix well. Continue this step until you get the desired texture.
- Add 10-20 drops of yellow food coloring and mix well until you get an even yellow color to the dough. Add the desired amount of the lemon-scented oil for slime.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and shape it into a ball, using the plastic mat to protect your workspace.
- Add the lemon buttons to the dough.
- Allow your kiddo to engage with the dough! Observe what he or she does while working with the dough.
