Sensory play engages children using touch, sound, smell, taste, and sight. Adding cloud dough takes it to a new level. The dough transforms ordinary play into a sensory bin wonderland. Cloud dough is super easy to make and keeps for a long time. It’s a soft, sandy texture, perfect for adding to a multiple-themed sensory tray!
Ingredients:
- Large Container – get a large tub, bin, or tray and dedicate it to sensory play. A container with a secure lid would work well after playing. To store your cloud dough, simply place it in an airtight container.
- Old Towel or Sheet – place an old shower curtain, bedsheet, or towel underneath the sensory play (whatever you have lying around). It catches any stray cloud dough, preventing extra mess.
- Cloud Dough - Mix all the ingredients and adjust the measurements until you get the consistency you desire.
- 8 cups of flour – Whatever kind you have in the house and is the most budget-friendly.
- 1 cup of oil – vegetable oil is a good option because it’s budget friendly. (Olive oil and sesame oil will also work.)
Recipe for Fun!
STEP 1: Let your child choose their sensory play theme:
- Construction site– gather building blocks and toys, like diggers and dump trucks
- Tea party – collect doll house items and figurines
- Sports arena – use mini balls, popsicle sticks for goal zones, plastic silverware for bats, racquets etc
STEP 2: Pour your cloud dough into the large container, evenly spreading it around to set the stage for play!
STEP 3: Add the toys to the sensory bin on top of the cloud dough.
STEP 4: Initially, show them how they can maneuver the themed toys to pick up the dough, make shapes, and do whatever they want!
STEP 5: Include a variety of child-friendly items – measuring cups, spades, and spoons so kids have numerous tools to develop their motor skills and enhance play.