Make your own cloud dough – the simple DIY recipe
Kids love to knead, mould and get creative. With homemade cloud dough – also known as cloud slime or ‘Cloud Dough’ – you can create a sensory play material in no time at all that’s not only fun but also encourages creativity. This fluffy play dough consists of just two simple ingredients, is quick to make yourself and can be wonderfully incorporated into all sorts of play ideas. Whether as a substitute for ice cream in a DIY ice-cream parlour, for baking imaginary cakes or as a sensory material on a sensory table – cloud dough is a real all-rounder for little explorers’ hands. We’ll show you how to make this fluffy cloud play dough yourself in no time at all – and give you loads of creative play ideas to keep your kids imaginatively occupied.
What is cloud dough?
Cloud dough is a light, supple mixture with a unique texture – somewhere between play dough and mousse. It feels soft, cool and powdery, and is brilliant for shaping with spoons, moulds or your hands. Whether it’s tartlets, little animals or ice-cream scoops – there are no limits to your imagination. Kneading it also helps develop fine motor skills – making it the ideal relaxing activity for in between times.
Make your own cloud dough
What you’ll need:
- Cornflour
- Hair conditioner
- Food colouring (optional)
- A bowl for mixing
How to make it:
- Use a small bowl or a small cup as a measuring unit. In a bowl, mix three parts cornflour with one part conditioner. This ratio is a good basis for achieving the perfect consistency.
- If you want to make colourful ice lollies, you can add a few drops of food colouring now. Play dough without colouring stays a lovely cloud-white – that looks great too!
- Start by mixing everything together with a spoon. This ensures the colour is distributed evenly throughout the mixture and the ingredients start to bind together a little.
- Now comes the best bit: get your hands in the bowl! Knead everything thoroughly – this way you’ll also be able to feel whether the consistency is right. Is the dough still too crumbly? Then carefully add a little washing-up liquid. Is it too mushy? Then a spoonful of cornflour will help.
The DIY ice cream parlour for ice cream made from cloud dough
Ice cream is always a hit – especially in summer! And if a trip to the ice cream parlour isn’t on the cards just yet, we’ll simply bring this sweet treat home. With our DIY ice cream parlour for children, you can conjure up a creative play world full of colour, imagination and delicious role-play fun in no time at all. And best of all: you only need a few materials.
The IKEA FLISAT children’s table is the perfect starting point for your DIY ice cream parlour. Thanks to the built-in recesses, TROFAST boxes fit perfectly inside – ideal for displaying our ice cream made from homemade cloud dough. With the matching Limmaland adhesive films in playful designs featuring colourful patterns or summery pastel colours, the table gets a fresh summer makeover in no time. Simply stick them on, and your colourful stall for little ice-cream sellers is ready!
Montessori-inspired play environment
TheDIY ice-cream parlour with cloud play dough offers a wonderful opportunity to encourage children’s independence – very much in line with the Montessori approach. Everything is set up with children in mind: the play dough is freely accessible, the accessories are clearly arranged and the play concept is open-ended. This allows children to decide for themselves what they want to ‘sell’ and what they want to mould with the playdough. In the process, they playfully develop their fine motor skills, language and imagination – and experience themselves as capable little hosts in their own little world.
More ideas for creative play with Cloud Playdough
- DINO-Excavation: Hide small dinosaur figures or fossils in the modelling clay. Using brushes and toothpicks, the little ones can set off on a discovery tour.
- Miniature building site: Combine cloud modelling clay with small diggers, spades and figures. The clay becomes piles of sand, roads or excavation pits.
- Imagination baking station: Using moulds, a muffin tin and ‘ingredients’, the little ones can bake to their heart’s content.
Fun summer games for the children’s bedroom
With little accessories such as felt ice cream cones, mini toppings, price signs or a homemade ice cream menu, the game becomes even more lively. The DIY ice cream parlour is just the start! How about your very own beach bar, a picnic or a ‘ mud kitchen’ for your patio or balcony? Here at Limmaland, you’ll find even more creative craft ideas and IKEA hacks to bring a touch of summer into your home. Be inspired – and turn your home into a summer play oasis!
Discover DIY magic sand
Are you looking for more DIY ideas for sensory play with children? Then our DIY magic sand is just the thing for you! This kinetic sand is wonderful to mould, trickles through your fingers and stimulates tactile perception in a playful way. Just like cloud dough, magic sand is made from everyday household ingredients and is quick to make – ideal for your sensory table or creative play ideas in everyday life. Best of all, the sand doesn’t stick, so it’s suitable for indoor use too.
Even more craft ideas for kids
