DIY Cloud Dough

We all know how much children LOVE getting their hands dirty! The stickier and messier the better. The typical parent has a number of competing priorities at home. Forget the bills, your work, the mounting laundry, and that leaky pipe…keeping the kids entertained is the true challenge! In all of our Bright Beginnings classroom, teachers are always trying to find creative ways to incorporate the senses into their activities.  We know that touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell are powerful tools that can further learning, no matter the child’s age or skill level. We also love any activity that we can make with just a few, simple ingredients. After all, why buy something that you can make yourself? Better yet, something you can make with your children?  If you’re up for an awesome adventure, try engaging your children at home with this recipe for Cloud Dough. It’s guaranteed to keep them (and you!) busy for hours.

Ingredients: 

• 8 cups all purpose (regular, white) flour
• 1 cup baby oil
• 1 heaping tablespoon of non-toxic tempera paint powder

Directions:

• In a large bowl or container, stir your oil and flour together well. A potato masher or a pastry cutter will work well. You’re trying to get everything really well blended into a smooth, crumbly powder
• Add 1 heaping tablespoon of tempera paint powder
• Continue to mash and blend until the color is completely mixed into the dough 
• Provide cups, playdough toys, and any other utensil used for scooping to your bin of colored Cloud Dough 
• Play, play, play!  

When your Cloud Dough is complete, try giving your child a number of fun challenges to further build their skills and vocabulary. Your child is incredibly smart! Try giving your kiddo the following prompts. You’ll be delighted to see their wheels turning. 

• Can you build a sandcastle? 
• Can you build a snowman? 
• Can you build a tower? 
• Can you trace your name or draw shapes in the crumbling dough?
• What happens when you use a different tool to scoop the dough into a cup?
• Which scooper holds the most dough? Which holds the least? 
• Is the dough heavy or light? 
• Is the dough thick or thin? 
• Can you describe the color? 

We hope your Cloud Dough experience is just heavenly! No matter how your dough turns out, the important thing is always the time spent together. Happy mixing, scooping, and molding to all our Bright Beginnings families!