Two Ingredient Cloud Dough

Sensory play is a staple for many families, but some recipes leave your house looking like a giant mess.

This easy 2 ingredient cloud dough is a simple DIY sensory toy with a soft, fluffy texture and it's completely not sticky when mixed correctly!

a stack of three colors of homemade cloud dough

This easy cloud dough recipe only takes two main ingredients that you probably already have hiding in your pantry and bathroom cabinet. Plus, because it uses hair conditioner, it smells amazing!

This cloud dough pairs perfectly with this free printable ice cream dramatic play center! Make sure to grab those printable while you're here.

text "free printable ice cream shop dramatic play set" with a preview of pages from an ice cream themed dramatic play center printable set

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS CLOUD DOUGH

This DIY cloud dough is budget friendly. There are no expensive ingredients required.

The cloud dough has an amazing texture. It feels like a mix between cloud-like dough and playdough, but it doesn't leave a greasy residue.

a stack of three colors of homemade cloud dough on a peach colored background

Unlike many sensory bases, this dough holds together beautifully, meaning less sweeping for you later. It doesn't crumble like some play doughs or stick like slime.

For more sensory play ideas, be sure to check out these additional tutorials:

This post may include affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

RECIPE: FLUFFY DIY CLOUD DOUGH

Prep time: 10 minutes
Active time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 cup conditioner (white, inexpensive brands work perfectly! Most people use Suave)
2 cups cornstarch or potato starch
Food coloring (1–3 drops per color)

TOOLS

Medium mixing bowl
Gloves(optional, but highly recommended to avoid staining your hands during the coloring step!)
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STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the Base

Pour 1 cup of white conditioner into your medium mixing bowl.

conditioner in a bowl for mixing homemade cloud dough

2. Add the Starch

Add the first cup of cornstarch (or potato starch) to the bowl and stir. Once that is mostly incorporated, add the second cup of starch and continue mixing. It will start to look crumbly at first, but don't worry!

3. Knead the Dough

Switch from your spoon to your hands. Dig in and start kneading the dough together right in the bowl. As you work it, the texture will completely transform into a soft, fluffy, and non-sticky dough.

4. Adjust the Texture

Every brand of conditioner has a slightly different moisture level, so you might need to tweak your dough just a bit:

If it feels too sticky, add a little more starch, a tablespoon at a time.
If it feels too crumbly, add 1–2 teaspoons of conditioner and knead it back in.

5. Color the Cloud Dough

Once you have reached the perfect, silky consistency, it's time to add some color!

Put on gloves to avoid staining your hands.

Divide the dough into several portions, depending on how many different colors you want to make.

homemade cloud dough separated into three bowls for adding color

Add 1–3 drops of food coloring into the center of each portion and knead until the color is completely even.

adding color to three bowls of homemade cloud dough

Use 1 drop for a gorgeous, soft pastel shade, or 2–3 drops if you want a brighter, more vibrant color!

Remember that you can mix colors to make different shades if you only have basic food colors.

three balls of homemade cloud dough on a. blue and peach colored background

HOW TO STORE YOUR CLOUD DOUGH

To make your cloud dough last as long as possible, follow these simple storage tips:

Store the dough in a tightly sealed airtight container or a heavy-duty zip-top bag.

three small containers of homemade cloud dough

Keep the container in a cool, dry place when the kids aren't playing with it.

It typically stays fresh for 1–2 weeks, depending on the specific brand of conditioner you used and how clean your kid's hands are.

If the dough starts to dry out after a few days, don't throw it away! Just add 1 teaspoon of conditioner and knead it thoroughly to bring that fluffy texture right back to life.

playing with cloud dough with a jar and rolling pin

SHARE YOUR CREATIONS!

I hope your family enjoys playing with this magical cloud dough as much as we do! It’s the perfect base for cookie cutters, plastic toys, or just squishing and rolling.

If you make a batch, leave a comment on Facebook and let me know what fun colors you chose.

Remember to pin this post to your favorite kid-friendly activity board on Pinterest so you can always find it when you need a quick activity!