Cloud Dough Recipe

Cloud dough is a simple sensory play activity made with just two ingredients. Its soft, mouldable texture feels different from traditional playdough and encourages children to explore through hands on play. Easy to prepare and adapt, cloud dough supports curiosity and creativity while offering a calming sensory experience. This makes it a practical and engaging play option for families and playgroups.

Ingredients

• 1 cup hair conditioner
• 2 heaped cups cornflour
• food colouring optional

Method

1. Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix with a spatula.
2. When the mixture becomes crumbly and harder to stir, use your hands to knead it together.
3. Continue kneading until the cloud dough feels soft and smooth, with a consistency similar to silky playdough.
4. Store the dough in an airtight container when not in use.

Optional Variations

• A lightly scented hair conditioner can be used to add a gentle smell to the cloud dough for an extra sensory element.
  
• Food colouring can be added in small amounts during mixing to change the colour of the dough.
  
• If the mixture feels too dry, add a small amount of conditioner. If it feels too soft, add a little more cornflour.

Using Cloud Dough in Play

Cloud dough works well as an open-ended sensory activity, allowing children to interact with the material in their own way. It can be used for simple play ideas such as moulding shapes, filling containers, or exploring how the texture changes when pressed or rolled. Activities like this support sensory exploration and sustained engagement, making cloud dough a useful option when planning varied sensory activities alongside playdough.