Are you looking for a new, easy way to encourage exploration, creativity, and independent play with your toddler or preschooler? Cloud dough is it! This super unique and versatile sensory play activity material will offer your child unlimited time to explore, touch and play. Whether you know what it is, have heard of it through the grapevine, or feel totally clueless about yet another toddler sensory play must-have, don’t worry – I’ve got you! This cloud dough sensory play activity guide will answer all your questions so you can introduce and encourage a new form of sensory play, leaving you with more time to enjoy your coffee!
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WHAT is cloud dough?
Cloud dough is a sensory play material that is super simple and quick to make at home. It requires only 2 ingredients, which I can guarantee you already have in your pantry: flour & oil. Cloud dough closely resembles kinetic sand, which is store-bought.
See! Does it get any simpler? Cloud dough is light, soft, and fun to experiment and play with. It will leave your kids with many opportunities for independent and open-ended sensory play.
RELATED: Looking to get started with sensory play but not sure how? Introducing sensory play is simpler than you think!
HOW do you make cloud dough?
Cloud dough is a playable sensory filler made with four and oil. It is not taste-safe because the flour is uncooked. If you prefer to cook the flour before playing, you can do so in the toaster.
Cloud dough is easy to make. You can whip up a batch in no time. There are so many variations of cloud dough recipes out there but this one is my all-time favorite:
- Measure 8 cups of flour directly into your sensory bin
- Pour in 1 cup of oil (I prefer olive oil)
- Mix the flour and oil together until you achieve your desired texture (it should be able to mold and clump together)
- Add more oil if it’s too crumbly
- Color your cloud dough for a fun twist by adding a few drops of food coloring (optional)
- Grab some fun tools for sensory play (cookie cutters, trucks, spoons, bowls, etc.)
SAFETY REMINDER: Although cloud dough is made of food items, it is unsafe to eat since the flour is uncooked. Please make sure to supervise your children as they play with cloud dough.
WHAT is the best way to store cloud dough?
One of the best things about cloud dough is that you can store and reuse it! Simply place your cloud dough in an airtight container for up to a week. For best results, wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container. Similar to playdough, cloud dough does not need to be refrigerated.
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The Best Air-Tight Container
Use this toy storage bin for:
- Sensory fillers
- Math Cubes and other Math Manipulatives
- Pom Poms
- Wooden Animals
WHY should you introduce cloud dough to your kids?
Cloud dough is a fun sensory material for kids of all ages, especially toddlers and preschoolers. Sensory play offers so many benefits for young children:
- Builds on natural curiosity
- Encourages independent play
- Enlightens sensory awareness
- Inspires imagination and creativity
- Strengthens fine motor skills
Introducing new and different textures, especially materials like cloud dough which has its own unique texture, consistency, and versatility, to young children is so important. Research has found that sensory play helps to develop language and communication skills through the exposure and exploration of unfamiliar and different sensory materials.
RELATED: Trying to encourage a bit more sensory play and messiness this summer? Check out our favorite Messy Play Sensory Activities list!
8 cloud dough sensory play activities
There are tons of fun and creative ways to play with cloud dough! Mix up a quick batch and grab a few simple supplies to keep your child engaged and learning with these simple cloud dough sensory play activities.
Here’s a quick list of our favorite sensory supplies.
Cloud Dough Sensory Construction Bin
Calling all construction-obsessed toddlers and preschoolers! This cloud dough sensory construction bin is perfect for young children who love digging, scoping, and building. Grab a few favorite toy construction vehicles and toss them into a sensory bin filled with some dirt-inspired cloud dough.
Cloud Dough Moon & Space Sensory Bin (Fun With Mama)
Inspire your sensory scientist with this classic sensory bin spin on space that uses simple toy spaceships and astronauts to encourage independent and pretend sensory play.
Valentine’s Cloud Dough Sensory Bin
This festive cloud dough sensory bin is such a sweet idea during the cold months as Valentine’s Day approaches to get your toddler involved in the spirit of love. Use paper hearts or doilies with cloud dough to encourage independent hands-on sensory play.
Bubbling Cloud Dough Science for Kids (Little Bins Little Hands)
Add a little science to your sensory play for a bit more excitement! Watch your preschooler’s face light up as they observe and experiment with this basic vinegar and baking soda take on cloud dough.
Sensory Cloud Activity (Messy Little Monster)
This is such a cute and creative cloud dough sensory activity for your budding little artist. Use cloud dough, cookie cutters, and a few crafting materials to create mini cloud crafts.
Gingerbread Cloud Dough (Toddler Approved)
A simple spin on classic cloud dough with a gingerbread spin for the winter months.
Cloud Dough Kitchen (Happy Toddler Playtime)
This is a favorite way to play with cloud dough! Grab some small kitchen supplies and toss them in to cook up something fun. (remember, cloud dough is not a taste-safe sensory bin)
Gluten-Free Cloud Dough (Tinkerlab)
Have a gluten allergy? Here is a gluten-free cloud dough recipe for sensory play.
Raise the sensory play activity bar with cloud dough!
Cloud dough is such a fun and simple way to make sensory play that much more interesting for your toddler or preschooler. With such a simple recipe, there’s no reason not to whip up a batch of this soft and versatile sensory material and invite your child to some hands-on learning fun and independence! And if you are ready to get messy, head over to these 11 messy sensory play activities. They are a blast.
Craving a calmer morning?
Breakfast Invitations are simple learning games that begin the day with play.
FAQ
Children learn many skills from cloud dough sensory play. Their natural curiosities will be met with creativity, fine motor development, language skills, and sensory awareness.
Kids can play with cloud dough in many different and creative ways. Sensory bins filled with tools to improve fine motor skills, science-based experiments, building, and festive holiday-themed sensory play are just a few ways to play with cloud dough.
Cloud dough offers tons of sensory play benefits for toddlers and preschoolers. Sensory activities provide hands-on opportunities of learning for children to develop independent play skills, concentration and imagination.
