For this week's activity, you are making cloud dough (or having your child help you with making cloud dough!).
What is cloud dough?
Cloud dough is a fluffy, flaky dough that is often used for sensory activities. It doesn't hold its shape like play dough does, but it can be squished between your hands, pressed into molds, and is just overall fun to play with, especially if you make several different colors.
What is cloud dough made of?
Cloud dough needs just three ingredients:
- flour
- vegetable oil
- food coloring
You can also add a few drops of an essential oil, such as lavender oil. This adds another sensory component to this activity: smell.
Since cloud dough is made with edible ingredients, it is safe to taste (but don't encourage it! Eating raw flour CAN make you sick).
Get the full "recipe" for making cloud dough here.
If you need gluten-free cloud dough because your child or someone in your family has an allergy to gluten or wheat, here is a recipe to make gluten free cloud dough with rice flour.
How to play with cloud dough
Make several different colors, and either add them all to one bin or place them in separate bins. Then encourage your child to touch the cloud dough, feel it between their fingers, squish it together, let it fall apart, scoop it with a scooper, a measuring cup, or a spoon, to use cookie cutter molds to make shapes in the cloud dough, or to mix the colors together to make a new color.
I bet you'll enjoy this activity too!
Psst, if you happened to come across this page and are wondering what the heck this is all about: We are doing the 52 Weeks of Sensory challenge. Come join us!