Cloud dough is wonderful for little ones and older children. It offers an amazing sensory experience, and hours of independent fun!
This is the same recipe we use at our CEFA Early Learning schools for our youngest students, as it is taste-safe.
Best Ages for This Activity
Zero to five
How to Make It
You Will Need
For white cloud dough:
- 2 cups of flour
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
For coloured cloud dough:
- 2 cups of flour
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 5 drops oil based food colouring (you can add more for a more intense colour. Premix to the oil before mixing it into the flour.)
Let’s Get Started!
- Invite your child to make cloud dough with you
- Put the flour in a bowl, and slowly add the oil as you mix with your hands (if you are making coloured cloud dough, mix the colour into the oil first, then add to the flour)
- Crumble the flour well with your hands so the oil gets evenly distributed.
- Voilà! You have cloud dough!
- If you want to make more, simply double to recipe, following the exact proportions.
- Put it in a sensory bin for your child to play with. It lasts at least two weeks. If you don’t have a sensory bin, put it in any container flat enough for your child to play in, and add some toys.
Learning Opportunities
Making the cloud dough is a great S.T.E.M. activity, teaching your child science and math. Ensure that your child does most of the work, such as measuring, mixing, pouring, and everything in between. That way they really learn those S.T.E.M. concepts hands-on. Use as much math vocabulary as you can, such as:
- How much, how little
- Measurements words
- Intensity (of colour)
- Counting (drops, for instance)
- Colours
Once the cloud dough is done, it is a nice sensory activity, a precursor to writing. Playing with the cloud dough, especially once you add kitchen utensils, moulds (to build with) or any other tools, will develop your child’s fine motor skills even further, as well as provide opportunities to learn S.T.E.M. and literacy.
Toys Your Child Might Like