Sensory Fun: Non-Toxic Cloud Dough

Looking for a fun activity that can keep your child entertained for a long time? Then you definitely need to try out this cloud dough recipe! It kept my 2 girls (age 5 and 1)busy for a whole hour! And if you know my toddler, you know that is a major feat!

I first heard about cloud dough while pinning away on Pinterest.  It looked like fun, so we decided to try it out.  The first time I made it I followed a recipe that used baby oil.  It was just my older daughter playing, so I didn’t think too much about using it.  Although I did notice her coughing a bit while she was playing and my chest felt a little tight as I was cleaning up the mess.  I did a little research afterwards and learned that baby oil can be toxic if inhaled or ingested. Yikes!

My older daughter was begging me to make it again and this time her little sister wanted to play too.  I knew we couldn’t use baby oil this time around because my toddler insists upon putting everything in her mouth.  I decided to substitute vegetable oil to see how it would work.  It worked great, and I actually thought it gave a better consistency than the baby oil.  Even better? I didn’t have to be concerned if my daughter tasted some.  We’ve tried a few different oils and it seems like you can just substitute whatever you have in your pantry.  No more disappointed kiddos because you don’t have the right ingredients on hand!  All you need is flour and oil!

Non-Toxic Cloud Dough

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup vegetable oil (or whatever cooking oil you have on hand)

Optional: a couple drops of essential oil for additional sensory benefits

Directions:

Mix the ingredients together! Decide what type of consistency you are looking for.  If you’re looking for more of a sand consistency, just mix until the flour and oil are combined. It will be moldable, but still loose.  If you’re looking for more of a dough consistency, knead the ingredients together for a few minutes. You may want to add more oil until you get the consistency you’re looking for.  Give your kiddos some measuring cups, spoons, cookie cutters, cars…whatever you can think of and let them go to town!  Enjoy the chance to get your dishes done or catch up on your favorite show!

My recipe makes enough to fill a 9×13 pan plus a little more in a separate container for my toddler.  If you want a larger batch, just double the ingredients.  You can put it in a sealed Tupperware container once you’re done and reuse it.

Cloud dough is messy, so be sure to have your kids do it at the table over a floor that can be easily swept! The mess is worth it, though, if it keeps them busy! And it looks like so much fun you may just want to join in too!  Enjoy!

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