Whip up a quick batch of cloud dough and try these 7 halloween sensory bin ideas for engaged sensory play that is slightly spooky.
Updated August 2022
Have you ever made cloud dough? It’s SUPER easy and kids love it!
If this is your first try, be sure to check out our post and video on How to Make Cloud Dough to help you get started.
At my art classes, cloud dough is like a magnet that draws kids in and grabs their attention.
It inspires creative play and is fun to mold, making it the perfect sensory material for kids. (If you’d like other ideas for sensory play materials we have a whole list of favorites.)
And don’t miss 10 Fall Sensory Play Activities for Kids that are taste safe as well––a good fit for older babies & young toddlers.
At The Artful Parent, we get really excited about Halloween. DIY Halloween costumes, Halloween arts & crafts activities, and cute and slightly spooky Halloween decorations make this month such fun with kids.
It seemed only right to merge our Halloween love with cloud dough.
I teamed up with my team member, Andrea Martelle, to create these fun variations of Halloween sensory bins for kids. We hope you’re inspired to create your own with your kids.
Halloween Sensory Bin Ideas
1. Chocolate Candy Corn Cloud Dough
Mix in cocoa powder to the basic cloud dough recipe and incorporate. This is extra cute with candy corns and little pumpkins.
2. Cute Kitties + Pumpkins
Candy pumpkins, black sprinkles and cat candles make a fun addition to this sensory play baking setup for kids.
3. Spooky Spider Cloud Dough
Find some spiders, bats and big eye sprinkles to add a slightly spooky twist to this variation.
4. Purple Monster Mash
A mix of spiky balls, candy pumpkins and eye sprinkles make the purple cloud dough really pop.
5. Slithering Snake Cloud Dough
Halloween mini erasers, plastic snakes and colorful balls provide an exciting sensory play set up for kids.
6. Skulls + Bones
Find little bones, skulls or skeletons to throw in the cloud dough. Candy corn adds a nice contrast!
7. Creepy Monster Halloween Cloud Dough
Eyeballs! Glowing hands! What other spooky additions might you add?
People Also Ask
1. What ingredients do I need?
- 8 cups flour
- 1 cup baby oil (vegetable oil also works, but doesn’t keep as well)
2. How long does it take to make?
Cloud dough comes together quickly. Allow 5-10 minutes to mix up a new batch.
3. How do I color the cloud dough?
To color the cloud dough, add candy food coloring (regular food coloring and gel food coloring will not work!)
Combine food coloring and oil before incorporating into the flour.
4. What age is good for cloud dough?
Set up a sensory tray or bin for older babies and toddlers to explore this fun material! (Keep in mind, cloud dough should not be ingested as it contains raw flour).
More Sensory Play Ideas for Kids
- 10 Fall Sensory Play Activities for Kids (+ Taste Safe Too!)
- Why Sensory Play is Important & 10 Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids
- The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Materials Your Kids Will LOVE to Explore
- How to Make Aquafaba (A Taste-Safe Sensory Play Material for Kids)
- 7 Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers
Autumn Arts & Crafts Ideas & Supplies
Download our FREE printable idea list of 31 Halloween activities for kids & families! Or just check out the blog post with the links. So many fun ideas for Halloween!
And be sure to check out our FALL family fun list in our Amazon store! It includes supplies for fall arts & crafts, autumn toys, Halloween ideas, and picture books about autumn.
And if you want even MORE Halloween arts and crafts, check out our Halloween Arts and Crafts Workshop at the Kids Art Spot, our kids art club. You’ll get 15 videos of fun and spooky art activities PLUS 17 Halloween-themed drawing prompts!
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