How to Make Cloud Dough Ice Cream (That Smells Amazing!)

There are a few toddler activities I keep coming back to again and again. And cloud dough? Definitely one of them.

It’s soft, moldable, and smells surprisingly nice (especially when you make it with conditioner). Plus, you can whip it up in under ten minutes with just two ingredients. What’s not to love?

This week, we used our favorite cloud dough recipe to make pretend ice cream—and it was everything. Colorful, squishy, and such a sweet sensory setup for summer.

But before we get to the ice cream part, let’s start with the basics.

What is Cloud Dough?

Cloud dough is a super soft sensory material that feels somewhere between play dough and kinetic sand. It’s perfect for toddlers because it’s easy to shape, squish, scoop, and crumble—all great for fine motor skills.

You can make it with flour and baby oil, or (my favorite version) with cornstarch and conditioner. The second option smells amazing, has a really silky texture, and feels a bit safer too—since raw flour can sometimes carry bacteria.

Honestly? It’s the closest thing to magic play snow I’ve ever made in my kitchen.

Supplies Needed

To make this silky smooth cloud dough, you’ll need:

• 2 cups cornstarch
• 1/2 cup white conditioner (the cheaper, the better!)
• Food coloring (optional, but fun!)

Video Tutorial

Directions

In a bowl, mix the conditioner with a few drops of food coloring.

Stir until the color is fully blended.

Add cornstarch, a little at a time, and stir.

Once it gets too thick to stir, knead with your hands until it forms a soft dough.

Adjust the texture: more cornstarch if it’s sticky, more conditioner if it’s crumbly.

That’s it!

You’ll end up with a dough that’s smooth, stretchy, and just so satisfying to play with. It stores pretty well too—in an airtight container for a few days.

Let’s Make It Summer-y: Ice Cream Cloud Dough

Okay, now for the cute part.

We turned our cloud dough into pretend ice cream by making three different “flavors”: strawberry (pink), lemon (yellow), and pistachio (mint green).

We scooped the dough into little cups and cones and set up a mini ice cream shop in our FLISAT table. Lily had a blast.

She mostly smooshed everything together in one big dough mountain—but that’s toddler life, right?

Why This is a Great Activity

Aside from the fact that it’s super cute, this activity checks a lot of boxes:

• ✅ Easy to set up (no cooking, no weird materials)
• ✅ Fun for a wide age range
• ✅ Great for sensory exploration
• ✅ Builds fine motor skills (scooping, pinching, pouring)
• ✅ Encourages pretend play and creativity

Plus, it’s screen-free. And outside-friendly. Always a win.

FAQ: A Few Helpful Tips

What if I don’t have conditioner?
You can also make cloud dough with flour and baby oil—just keep in mind the texture will be drier and more crumbly, and raw flour can sometimes carry bacteria. We’ve also tried body lotion instead of conditioner (you can see that in this post!) and it works just fine.

Does the food coloring stain?
If you mix it into the conditioner before adding the cornstarch, it blends in really well and doesn’t stain hands.

Can I add scents?
Yes! A drop of vanilla extract or essential oil goes a long way. Just make sure it’s toddler-safe and use sparingly.

What’s the best way to store it?
A zip-top bag or container with a lid works fine. It usually lasts 3–5 days before it starts drying out. If it does dry out, just add a little conditioner and knead—it’ll be smooth again in no time.

Save this idea for a cozy summer play day

Honestly? This is one of those activities you’ll end up doing again and again. It’s low effort, high reward—and kids LOVE it.

If you try it, tag me—I’d love to see your little ice cream shop in action. 🍦

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