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How to Make Cloud Dough for Kids

by Rachel Withers
May 24, 2023
Cloud Dough for Kids_Feature

Learn how to make cloud dough with this 2 ingredient recipe. This is a sensory play material kids love!

Updated May 2023

Cloud dough is one of the most popular sensory play materials at my art classes. Kids seem to flock to it!

We’ve made versions for Halloween and Christmas along with colored cloud dough (my new favorite). When it’s lived its life, add some water and turn it into cement or mud for extended creative play!

This recipe is super easy to whip up with only two ingredients. See our easy cloud dough recipe and video to get started!

How to Make Cloud Dough for Kids_Pin

How to Make Cloud Dough

Time needed: 5 minutes

  1. Measure ingredients

    Scoop 8 cups of flour into a bowl. Then add 1 cup of baby oil (or vegetable oil). cloud dough ingredients

  2. Mix ingredients

    Now mix and squeeze the ingredients together with your hands to incorporate the dough. Once it can be squeezed and hold some form, it’s ready.
    Purple cloud dough with penguins

  3. Add coloring

    If desired, add a few drops of oil based candy food coloring (see link above–no other kind will color your dough!)
    cloud dough sensory bin

  4. Play!

    Transfer cloud dough to a bin, then add molds, toys, scoops and other items for kids to enjoy.

Cloud Dough Recipe

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cloud dough for kids

Cloud Dough

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  • Author: Jean Van’t Hul
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 cups 1x
  • Category: Sensory Experience

Description

Try this simple cloud dough recipe with just two ingredients.Learn how to make cloud dough for sensory play.


Ingredients

Scale

8 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup baby oil 

oil based candy food coloring (optional)


Instructions

  1. Measure 8 cups of flour into a large bowl and add 1 cup of baby oil. 
  2. Mix and squeeze the ingredients with your hands to incorporate until the dough holds together when squeezed. 
  3. If desired, mix oil based candy food coloring with the oil before mixing it into the flour. 
  4. Transfer cloud dough to a plastic bin and add toys, molds, scoops, etc. 

cloud dough on tray
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

Tips to contain the mess

This one is on the messier side but don’t let that deter you. This type of play is important for kids! And we have lots of ideas to contain the mess and encourage creative play for kids!

The easiest way to contain the mess is by moving the activity outside. If we’re at home, I have my kids take off their shirts or wear an art smock so everything brushes off easily.

Catalina of Redviolet Studio shares her two must-have items for messy sensory play:

  • plastic tablecloth
  • clear plastic bin

She recommends placing the bin on top of the tablecloth or dropcloth to contain any spills. Shake off the blanket at the end of the play session for easy cleanup.

How about you? What’s your kids favorite sensory play material?

More Sensory Play Ideas for Kids

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How to Make Cloud Dough for Kids

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