This incredibly soft and silky smooth play compound is so soft and pleasantly tactile, it begs to be touched! 2 ingredients make this easy to mix together on a rainy day for instant entertainment. Here is our super soft cloud dough recipe for natural play:
2 ingredient Soft Cloud Dough Recipe for Nature Play
Mix 1 part hair conditioner to 2 parts corn starch. That’s it! I used a 1/8th cup scoop to make the perfect toddler-sized portion. I place the ingredients in a small mixing bowl where I combine them with a little silicone spatula. Once the mixture is crumbly, I switch to kneading it by hand for the last 15 seconds, forming it into a smooth disc ready for play.
Make it Organic + Non-GMO
I love Anthony’s Organic corn starch, which I order from Amazon. If you’re wanting to reduce the chemicals that come in contact with your child’s skin, organic corn starch, which is required by law to be non-GMO, and plant-based conditioners are a great option! (Afflink)
Lovely Texture
Cloud dough has an incredibly silky texture, thanks to the corn starch. The lighter-than-air feel invites a long, peaceful play session.
Perfect for Nature Play
Cloud dough takes impressions from nature objects really well. Leaves, acorns, pine cones and carved wood stamps leave beautiful imprints that are relaxing to smooth away from the sensuous surface. Natural wood tools enhance the restful, restorative effects of nature play.
Benefits of Sensory Play
Calming, tactile, and brain-building sensory play is essential for little minds and hands. Children learn gross and fine motor skills as they play, delighting in new textures and experiences. “Old fashioned” gentle play balances the mind, invites imaginative exploration, and prepares it for greater cognitive tasks.
How to Store Cloud Dough
The conditioner used to make your cloud dough will begin to lose moisture if the compound is left out for longer than an hour. Store in a ziplock bag or airtight container and re-hydrate with a small amount of conditioner if the mixture becomes crumbly. Keeps for about a week.
Farmhouse Fun
We live out in the county, a bit of a drive from playgrounds, pools, friends, and activities. Years ago we made the switch to more natural wood toys, glass marbles, real outdoor tools, homemade play compounds and simple sensory bin fillers. Long, beautiful days filled with nature play and at-home entertainment have made for sweet memories and happier childhoods. If you have been thinking of making similar changes, I do not regret donating the plastic toys and simplifying to mostly heirloom wooden toys that cannot help but invoke the imagination and invite hours of play!
You Might Also Enjoy Reading:
Nature is a Class Room (and how to get your kids playing in nature more!)
Switching to Natural Toys & How Open-Ended Play Heals
Raising Children in the Country
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