How to Make Cloud Dough

Using Cornstarch & Conditioner

Add 2 cups (256 g) of cornstarch and 1 cup of hair conditioner to a large bowl. Use a measuring cup to measure out 2 cups of cornstarch, and add them to a large mixing bowl. Then, measure out 1 cup (250 mL) of the hair conditioner of your choice and pour it into the bowl. Pick a conditioner with a scent you love to make your cloud dough smell great. Some recipes recommend using baby lotion instead of conditioner. If you have extra baby lotion on hand, or prefer the scent of it, feel to use it!

Mix until combined. Mix the cornstarch and conditioner thoroughly with a large spoon until the mixture is completely combined. Your dough should be soft and not sticky. If it feels a little too sticky, add 1 tablespoon (10 g) of cornstarch and mix it in. Or, if it feels too dry, add 1 tablespoon of conditioner. Repeat either step until you get the right consistency.

Add drops of food coloring until your dough is the desired color. Start out with 8-10 drops and mix them in. If your cloud dough isn’t vibrant enough, add 1-2 more drops of food coloring at a time until your dough is the color you want. You can make all of your dough one color, or you can separate it into smaller bowls and add different food coloring to each to make a whole rainbow of colors! Try to do most of your mixing with the spoon while your dough is still in the mixing bowl—this will keep things from getting too messy! Once your dough is thoroughly mixed, you should be able to knead it with your hands. It should be able to hold a shape, and it shouldn’t stick to your hands.

Add sprinkles or glitter (optional). This step is completely optional, but feel free to add in rainbow sprinkles, or a colorful glitter of your choice to add some extra sparkle to your cloud dough! Knead everything together with your hands until it’s all mixed in. Although your dough looks good enough to eat, remember, it’s not food! Whether you’re making this recipe for yourself, or for someone else, make sure everyone knows your cloud dough is for playing, not eating.

Store your cloud dough in an airtight container. If you store your cloud dough in an airtight container, it should stay fresh for a few weeks. If it seems a bit dried out, add in a little extra conditioner, baby lotion, or water to get it back to its original texture.

Making Cloud Dough Using Flour and Baby Oil

Add 4 cups (500 g) of flour and ½ cup (125 mL) of baby oil to a large bowl. Use a measuring cup to add 4 cups of flour to a large mixing bowl. Then, add in ½ cup of baby oil to the bowl. Mix everything up with a large spoon until combined.

Add the food coloring of your choice. Add in drops of food coloring until your dough is the color you want. Start out with 8-10 drops. If your dough is not colorful enough, add 1 or 2 more drops at a time until it reaches the color you want. to For a lighter, paler color, add in less drops, and for a darker, more vibrant color, add in more.

Add essential oil for scent (optional). To make your cloud dough smell nice, add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil. For a zesty scent, try out orange essential oil or lemon essential oil. Or, for a relaxing scent, try lavender! If you’re making this cloud dough for someone else, make sure to let them know what essential oils you’ve added, in case they have any allergies.

Mix until everything is combined. First, mix everything together inside the bowl with your spoon as much as you can to keep things from getting too messy. Once your dough is mixed pretty well, take it out of the bowl and knead it with your hands to finish combining everything. Your dough should feel light and fluffy, but it should also hold a shape when you mold it. In fact, you can use sand molds to make some fun shapes, like castles and fish! If your dough is too crumbly, add in a few more drops of baby oil and knead the dough with your hands. Repeat this step until your dough is the right texture. Although your dough looks good enough to eat, remember, it’s not food! If you're making the cloud dough for someone else, make sure they know it’s not edible.

Store your cloud dough in an airtight container. If you keep your cloud dough tightly sealed in an airtight container, it should stay fresh for several weeks. If you notice your cloud dough drying out over time, add in a few extra drops of baby oil and knead the dough until it feels soft again.