How to Make The Best 2 Ingredient Cloud Dough

Make soft and fluffy cloud dough for hours of sensory play with just 2 simple ingredients—cornstarch and conditioner! No cooking required!

Cloud dough is soft, squishy, and irresistible. But what makes it so special? Unlike traditional play dough, cloud dough’s texture is light, fluffy, and perfect for sensory play.

In fact, sensory play has been shown to improve fine motor skills, foster creativity, and reduce anxiety in children. That’s right—this simple mixture of cornstarch and conditioner can be a powerful tool for child development, and it takes less than 10 minutes to make!

The best part? You likely already have everything you need in your pantry and bathroom. No fancy ingredients or complicated recipes. Just two household items, a little mixing, and you’re ready to go!

What is Cloud Dough?

Cloud dough, also known as moon dough or no cook play dough, is a soft, moldable play dough that feels like a cross between kinetic sand and traditional play dough. It’s incredibly versatile! You can mold it, squish it, and shape it, and it’s perfect for sensory play because of its soft, pliable texture. Kids love it for its squishy, fluffy feel, and parents love how simple and inexpensive it is to make.

This dough is perfect for sparking creativity—your kids can roll it into balls, cut shapes with cookie cutters, or even imprint household items like whisks or stamps for fun patterns. If you want to add an extra sensory element, you can use scented conditioner, add essential oils, or add food coloring to customize it.

Why Homemade Cloud Dough is So Awesome

• Quick and Easy to Make: With just two ingredients and no cooking involved, cloud dough is one of the easiest play doughs to make at home. You can have a batch ready in under 10 minutes, which makes it perfect for those days when you need a quick activity to keep the kids busy.

• Great for Sensory Play: The soft, squishy texture is perfect for little hands. It’s especially great for sensory play, helping kids with tactile stimulation. Scented cloud dough can even engage their sense of smell, making it a well-rounded sensory experience.

• Kid-Friendly: Since cloud dough doesn’t require any heating or special techniques, even young children can help make it. Let them measure the ingredients, stir the mixture, and knead the dough. They’ll love being part of the process!

• Budget-Friendly: No need to break the bank on expensive toys! Cloud dough is made from two inexpensive ingredients, both of which you probably already have at home. Even if you need to buy them, they’re super cheap.

How to Make Cloud Dough

Ingredients

You only need two basic ingredients to whip up cloud dough:

• 2 cups Cornstarch: This is the main ingredient that gives cloud dough its soft and fluffy texture. If you don’t have cornstarch, you can substitute it with all-purpose flour, though cornstarch makes the dough feel smoother and silkier.

• 1 cup Hair Conditioner: Any inexpensive conditioner will do! You don’t need to use your fancy salon brand. Bonus points if it’s scented, as this adds an extra sensory experience for your kids. Or you can add a few drops of essential oils if you’d prefer to control the fragrance.

• Optional Food Coloring: Add a few drops of food coloring if you want to give your cloud dough some vibrant colors. You can use artificial food coloring or even experiment with natural dyes like beet powder or turmeric. Just remember, some food coloring might stain hands slightly, but it washes off easily.

Instructions

Making homemade cloud dough is super easy. There’s no cooking involved, so even younger kids can help mix it together. Here’s how you do it:

1. Measure and Mix

Start by measuring out 1 cup of hair conditioner and add it to the bowl. If you’re making a batch with just one color, mix the conditioner and food coloring together before adding it to the cornstarch. This helps the color distribute evenly.

If you want to make different colors, divide the dough into small balls and add a few drops of food coloring to each. Knead the color in until it’s evenly distributed (see pictured in the following section).

Next, measure out 2 cups of cornstarch and place it into a large mixing bowl.

Pro tip: Use a bigger bowl than you think you’ll need because the cornstarch can puff up when you stir it.)

2. Stir it Together

Stir the ingredients together with a spoon until the mixture becomes too hard to mix. At this point, you’ll want to ditch the spoon and use your hands—this is where the fun begins!

3. Knead and Play

Knead the dough with your hands until it forms a smooth, fluffy ball. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more cornstarch, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a little more conditioner. Keep kneading the dough until it’s soft and fluffy, like a cloud!

4. Add Color

Divide your dough into sections and add different food coloring to each one. Knead the color in until it’s evenly distributed. Your kids will love playing with the bright, colorful dough!

Fun Variations

Homemade cloud dough is amazing on its own, but you can easily customize it to keep things exciting for your kids. Here are some ideas:

• Scented Cloud Dough: Use scented hair conditioner or add a few drops of essential oils for a more engaging sensory experience. Lavender, citrus, or peppermint are popular options that kids enjoy.

• Edible Cloud Dough Alternatives: While regular cloud dough isn’t edible, you can make taste-safe versions by swapping out ingredients like conditioner for food-grade alternatives. Try our 2 ingredient Edible Play Dough recipe for a fun, safe alternative. For younger children, this might be a good idea, especially if they tend to put things in their mouths.

Storage Tips

Homemade cloud dough can last for several weeks if stored properly. To keep it soft and pliable, follow these storage tips:

• Keep It Covered: Always cover the dough when it’s not in use to keep it soft for future play. You can use a zip-top bag or an airtight container for the best results.

• Reviving Dry Dough: If your dough starts to dry out, don’t worry! Just knead in a little more conditioner, and it’ll be back to its original softness in no time.

• Airtight Containers: Store your dough in an airtight container, like a mason jar or sealable plastic tub, to prevent it from drying out. You can also wrap the dough in plastic wrap before putting it into the container for extra protection.

Safety Note

While cloud dough is fun for older kids, it’s not recommended for children under 3 years old because it’s not edible. For a taste safe version, try our 2-Ingredient Edible Play Dough Recipe. If you’re making this for younger children, always supervise them during play to ensure they’re not putting it in their mouths.

Final Thoughts

Cloud dough is a super fun, easy-to-make, and will keep your kids entertained. With just two basic ingredients—cornstarch and hair conditioner—you can create a fluffy, soft dough that’s perfect for sensory play.

Customize it with colors, scents, and household items for even more fun. And the best part? It’s quick, budget-friendly, and your little ones can help make it!

Ready to whip up some soft and fluffy cloud dough for creative playtime fun! Let me know how it goes in the comments.