Best Play Recipes: Easy Cloud Dough

by In The Real Wonderlandin 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old, 7 years old, 8 years old, 9 years old, Play doughs and bases, Play Recipes, Materials, Objects, Toys and Supplies, Sensory Play Ideason Posted on
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Easy cloud dough is probably my favourite sensory dough. It is a simple and forgiving recipe, using only two ingredients. Cloud dough has consistency and Newtonian quality similar to kinetic sand: it can both hold its shape and crumble apart, allowing for many different types of play. However, it is less ‘gritty’ and far cheaper than store-bought kinetic sand. It also has a slightly fluffy texture, making it much more accessible and enjoyable for children with sensory sensitivities. And it looks so beautiful, right?

age

In my real-life preschool, I make this recipe at least once a week! During lockdown, we used to send a little tub of the soft stuff home for our preschoolers, to support continued play-based learning. Here’s why:

  • Cloud dough is super versatile: children can play with it in dozens of different ways and it supports all types of play-based learning.
  • It is made from just two supermarket ingredients, which are affordable for most.
  • It is quick to make, with no cooking required.
  • It is a great recipe for reducing waste: you can use ingredients that have passed their best-before date, or have been sitting in the pantry a bit too long.
  • It is much more comfortable than sand or clay for children with sensory sensitivities or reduced hand strength.
  • It is salt-free, reducing the temptation for children to eat the dough!
  • Cloud dough is easier to clean up than play-dough because it doesn’t harden. Just let it dry, then vacuum it up.
Easy cloud dough recipe. Image of a play scene, with safari animals on a tray of cloud dough.
Print

Best Easy Cloud Dough Recipe – No Cook

A low-prep soft and fluffy cloud dough
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time3 minutes
Total Time8 minutes
Category: Play and Sensory Doughs
Yield: 8 cups
Cost: $2

Equipment

  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 mixing spoon
  • 1 measuring cup
  • food processor optional

Materials

  • 8 cups corn starch Known as corn flour in Australia and UK. Use the white "squeaky" flour, not the yellow flour.
  • 1 cup any oil-based and non-toxic liquid This can be vegetable oil, hair conditioner, body lotion. Use vegetable oil for children who put things in their mouths!

Optional

  • 10 drops food-safe colouring You can use food colouring, liquid water colours, or your own home-made vegetable dyes
  • 1 pinches sparkles For example, biodegradable glitter or sequins.

Instructions

  • Place flour in the bowl, and make a well.
  • Add in your oil based liquid and mix thoroughly. For an extra-smooth mixture, blend on high speed in a food processor for 2 mins, occasionally scraping the sides.
  • If using colour and/ or sprinkles, gradually add it to the mixture while mixing/ blending until it is the desired colour.
  • Adjust the quantities of flour/ liquid until you have a consistency that is similar to kinetic sand – the dough should be able to "pour" nicely while staying connected,

Ideas for using cloud dough to support play-based learning