How to Make Cloud Dough

The other day, I decided to try making cloud dough with the kids, and honestly, it was such a hit! If you haven’t tried it yet, you’ve got to give it a go—it’s surprisingly simple and incredibly soothing. We just mixed some corn starch with conditioner (but there are so many other ways to make it- see below), and the result was this soft, moldable dough that felt almost like magic sand. The kids loved the texture, and we spent a good part of the afternoon shaping and molding it into all sorts of fun figures and forms.

What I really loved about the activity was how it allowed us to all unwind and connect. There’s something about the silky feel of cloud dough that’s really calming, and even I found myself totally engrossed in creating little dough sculptures. We set up our makeshift dough table outside, and with the sun shining down and the kids happily engaged, it was one of those perfect parenting moments where everything just felt right. Plus, clean-up was a breeze since it was just corn starch and conditioner, which easily swept up or wiped away.

Reflecting on it now, making cloud dough was more than just a fun afternoon activity; it was a peaceful break from our usual routine, and a chance to engage the kids in something tactile and creative. It’s definitely going into our rotation of go-to activities, especially since it’s both easy to make and guarantees hours of entertainment. We even add some food coloring but next time I might add glitter to mix things up a bit. If you’re looking for a simple, enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with your kids, cloud dough might just be the winner!

How to Make Cloud Dough

Material List:

• Conditioner (any brand will do!)
• Corn starch
• Food coloring (any color you like!)
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon

Cloud Dough Instructions:

Ready to make some super soft cloud dough? It’s really easy and fun, and you’ll love the silky-smooth texture. Here’s how you can whip up a batch:

1. Grab Your Ingredients: First things first, let’s gather everything we need. You’ll want your conditioner, corn starch, food coloring (if you want a splash of color), a mixing bowl, and a spoon.
2. Mix Conditioner and Corn Starch: Pour 1/2 cup of your favorite conditioner into the mixing bowl. Add 1 cup of corn starch to it. This is your base mix, and it’s about to get really fun!

3. Add Some Color: If you’re using food coloring, now’s the time to drop in a drop or two. Go with one drop first to see how vibrant it is. You can always add more if you want it brighter.

4. Mix It All Together: Start stirring with your spoon. At first, it might seem like they don’t want to mix, but keep at it. They’ll start combining after a bit of elbow grease.

5. Check the Consistency: After a few minutes of mixing, check if the dough is too sticky. If it sticks to the sides of the bowl and your hands too much sprinkle a little more corn starch into the bowl. Just add a bit at a time, stirring between additions. When the dough begins to pull away from the bowl’s sides and feels pliable and moldable in your hands, you’ve nailed it.

6. Final Touches: Once you’ve got the perfect texture, give it a good knead with your hands. This helps make sure all the ingredients are fully integrated and the dough is smooth and uniform.

Tips for Success:

• If the dough feels too dry, add a tiny bit more conditioner to soften it up. If its too sticky a tiny bit of corn starch.
• Dust your hands with corn starch to help make mixing it with your hands less sticky.
• For an extra touch of fun, you can add glitter or small beads to your cloud dough to make it sparkle or add texture.
• Store your cloud dough in a sealed bag or container to keep it fresh for future play.

Other Sensory Recipes:

Recently, we’ve been on a sensory play spree, making everything from homemade play dough to kinetic sand! Here’s a quick peek at these fun recipes:

• Play Dough: Soft, colorful, and endlessly moldable, our play dough recipe is perfect for creative sculpting.
• Kinetic Sand: Love the beach? Bring some of its magic home by making your own kinetic sand that sticks to itself but not to your hands!

How to Store Cloud Dough

Cloud dough is super fun to play with and can last quite a while if you store it correctly. Typically, it’ll stay good for about three to six months. The best way to keep it fresh is by storing it in an airtight container or a ziplock bag and keeping it in a cool, dry place. Just make sure your hands are clean before you dive in to extend its lifespan! If you start to notice the texture changing, or it begins to smell a bit off, it’s probably time to toss it and whip up a new batch. Trust me, it’s better to be safe and keep the playtime fun and fresh!

Other Ways to Make Cloud Dough

I made cloud dough using conditioner and corn starch, and it turned out super soft and moldable! But you can actually switch up the ingredients a bit depending on what you have on hand. For instance, instead of conditioner, you can use lotion or even baby lotion, which is great because it makes the dough extra gentle for little hands. Both options work really well to achieve that cool, silky texture that cloud dough is known for. Just mix it with corn starch until you get the consistency you like. It’s pretty forgiving, so you can play around with it until it feels just right.

Share Your Sensory Play Moments

We’d love to see how your cloud dough turned out and hear all about the fun you had playing with it! Share your photos and stories with us in the “Share Your Crafting Moments” section of our blog or on social media. Your creations inspire us and everyone in our crafty community.

Making cloud dough is not only a fantastic way to explore sensory play but also a great opportunity to learn a little about science—like how mixing two substances can create something entirely new and exciting. So grab your ingredients, and let’s get mixing!