If you want a super-easy, hands-on activity for your preschooler (or kids of any age, really), may I highly suggest Gluten-Free Easy Cloud Dough? It is exactly like it sounds. Easy to make and easy to use in sensory play activities. {Gluten-Free}
I have a confession, though. When I found a version of this recipe in Asia Citro’s ridiculously amazing book 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids, I was transported back in time to when my firstborn was two, and we made a batch of something similar. At the time, I didn’t even know “sensory play” was a thing. I just knew moms who were more in the know than I was were pinning this stuff like crazy. And so I pinned it like crazy, too, and then finally made a batch of my own.
Fast-forward to when our second born was about two and this easy cloud dough made its way into our local library for a science activity night. EXCEPT IT CONTAINED GLITTER. And also conditioner that smelled like coconuts. But also glitter. It was like a winter wonderland of delight somewhere on a tropical island. My senses could make neither heads nor tails of the situation. And I know I should immensely dislike glitter. But I don’t. I don’t immensely dislike it at all. I kind of love it. And so do the girls.
No, I reserve my immense disliking for the following: the grammatically incorrect phrase “have went,” squeaky shoes, and dried up clay dough. Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother (aka FG) CLEARLY brought herself some glitter and bestowed it on Cinderella, not crumbly, dried up clay dough that got stuck in her vacuum cleaner and the kitchen floor grout.
But this Gluten-Free Easy Cloud Dough recipe? Yep, yep, yeppity, yep. I will make this stuff any time the girls want to.
Gluten-Free Easy Cloud Dough ingredients
- Baking soda (two cups per color used)
- Several drops liquid watercolors (food coloring is okay but beware of staining)
- Water
- Conditioner (optional)
- Glitter (optional)
How to make Gluten-Free Easy Cloud Dough
- Add liquid watercolors to baking soda in a large bowl and mix until color is even. Pour in water about a tablespoon at a time (1/4 cup water is 4 tablespoons). Add more if mix is still too dry. Stop if desired consistency is reached prior to using all of the 1/4 cup.
- Stir in conditioner, if using, and then add a sprinkle or two of glitter, if desired.
- Store in container, jar, or baggie for a few weeks and add a sprinkle of water before each play session, if desired.
Once your dough is ready, then it’s time to dig IN! Some of my favorite sensory play items include wood craft sticks, cookie cutters, tongs or tweezers, dishes, silverware, cups, and items for hiding and rediscovering!
More sensory play inspiration!
If you’re in the market for more sensory play ideas, then check out these recipes of sheer fun and exhilaration!
- Sensory Play Activities for Children – Loose Parts, Sensory Play Ideas for Preschoolers (the flagship post for this particular recipe)
- Rainbow Rice Recipe – How to Dye Rice for Sensory Play
- How to Make Fluffy Slime
- Gluten-Free Playdough (my one and only favorite clay dough recipe!)
Take care, Spiriteds. I hope you’re well. Stay wild and know I’m glad you’re here. ❤️
Gluten-Free Easy Cloud Dough
If you want a super-easy, hands-on activity for your preschooler (or kids of any age, really), may I highly suggest Gluten-Free Easy Cloud Dough? It’s exactly like it sounds. Easy to make and easy to use in sensory play activities. {Gluten-Free}
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups baking soda per color
- Several drops liquid watercolors until desired color is reached
- Approximately 1/4 cup water (I add it about 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached)
- 2+ tablespoons conditioner, optional
- Sprinkle of glitter, optional
Instructions
- Add liquid watercolors to baking soda in a large bowl and mix until color is even. Pour in water about a tablespoon at a time (1/4 cup water is 4 tablespoons). Add more if mix is still too dry. Stop if desired consistency is reached prior to using all of the 1/4 cup.
- Stir in conditioner, if using, and then add a sprinkle or two of glitter, if desired.
- Store in container, jar, or baggie for a few weeks and add a sprinkle of water before each play session, if desired.
Notes
This is a purposely flexible recipe rather than an exact science of measures. We often add more or less conditioner or water to get different textures and molding options. If you use conditioner, the mixture will be stickier, which provides lots of shaping options. But it may be better stored in a container rather than a baggie as it will stick to the sides and corners.
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