Combining corn starch and shaving cream can create a fun, sensory play material known as “cloud dough” or “moon dough.” This mixture is soft, moldable, and has a light, fluffy texture.The combination of cornstarch and shaving cream creates an ultra soft textured play dough. While it is more crumbly than typical play dough it is still very moldable, can be rolled out, and used for a variety of activities. The crumbly texture makes it something new and fun to play with and feel. Your kids will love this easy cornstarch cloud dough recipe!
Benefits of Cloud Dough:
Cloud dough, made from a mixture of corn starch and shaving cream, offers several benefits for children’s play and sensory development:
- Sensory exploration: Cloud dough has a unique texture that is soft, moldable, and crumbly. It provides a sensory-rich experience, stimulating children’s sense of touch and allowing them to explore different textures.
- Creativity and imagination: Cloud dough can be shaped and molded into various forms, encouraging creativity and imaginative play. Children can use it to make shapes, build structures, or create pretend play scenarios.
- Fine motor skills: Manipulating cloud dough helps develop children’s fine motor skills. Pinching, squeezing, and shaping the dough strengthen hand muscles and improve dexterity, which are important for activities like writing and drawing.
- Calming and soothing: The soft texture of cloud dough can have a calming effect on children, helping them relax and unwind. It can be a soothing sensory experience for children who may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed. This is even more the case if you mix in a few drops of essential oils with calming properties.
- Scientific exploration: Cloud dough can also be used for simple science experiments, such as observing how it changes consistency when squeezed or shaped. This can help children develop an early interest in science and experimentation.
Overall, cloud dough is a versatile and engaging sensory material that offers a wide range of benefits for children’s play and development.
How To Make Cloud Dough Tutorial With A Focus & Calm Scent
Adding some of my favorite essential oils to this play dough recipe kids will love makes the play dough even more beneficial than it already is. Besides just being fun and great for building fine motor skills the play dough is now infused with oils that help promote focus and calm. This is a fun activity to do with the kiddos before homework or when you need to keep the kiddos busy and help them unwind while you are cooking dinner.
Cloud Dough Simple Ingredients:
- 2 cups shaving cream
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 4 drops of Lavender essential oil
- 2 drops of Vetiver essential oil
- 2 drops of Cedarwood essential oil
- 2 drops of Bergamot essential oil
- 5-10 drops of natural colorant (optional)
Gather up your ingredients and let the kids help because making it is half the fun!
How Do You Make Cloud Dough? It is so easy. Step-by-step directions:
Combine shaving cream and cornstarch with a rubber spatula in one large mixing bowl until well mixed. Get your hands in there if necessary to get it blended completely.
Add the essential oils and natural colorant if desired to tint your dough. Stir and mix again to distribute throughout. The essential oils have many great properties to help with calming and focus. You don’t have to have all of the oils but each essential oil has it’s own special properties- lavender essential oil, vetiver essential oil, cedarwood essential oil, and bergamot essential oil.
After you have mixed everything, you will want to use your hands to knead it together better. The more it is played with the better the texture will become. You may need to add bit more shaving cream or corn starch to get the right texture depending on if you like it more like kinetic sand or soft playdough.
That is it. I told you this play dough recipe kids will love is super easy!
Your kids can use the moldable cloud dough to roll it out, form it into shapes, or use it for stamping numbers and letters. My kids always like to use cookie cutters orbutter knives to cut it into food shapes and serve me pretend dinner. Good memories!
When your kids are done playing with their homemade moon dough or “moon sand”, wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap. Store it in an air-tight container when not in use to keep it from drying out.
Conclusion
Corn starch helps create a smooth and pliable texture in the play dough, making it easy to mold and shape. Furthermore, corn starch can absorb moisture, helping to keep the play dough from becoming too sticky. This is a great recipe if you want the softest dough for little hands.
Cloud dough is a fun sensory material that can be shaped and molded like clay but has a softer, fluffier texture. It’s a great way to engage children in sensory play and can be a calming and therapeutic activity. I think this is the best moon dough recipe because it has the added benefits of the essential oils. Have fun experimenting with colors and essential oils to create your child’s favorite combination. Young kids will love the texture of this dough. Do you think you will try this easy moon dough recipe?
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Heather Lynne says
It is cool that corn starch is non-toxic, which is important for children who may accidentally ingest the play dough. This homemade cloud dough was fun. Thanks:)