The Easiest Cloud Dough Recipe for Soft, Squishy Easter Play

Making cloud dough is so easy! And, to my surprise, weirdly relaxing! Seriously, I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did.

We whipped up some pastel-colored DIY cloud dough for Easter, and it turned out to be the perfect activity to do with kids. It’s soft, squishy, and incredibly satisfying to knead. Like the fluffiest playdough recipe you’ve ever tried!

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Not only is this an easy cloud dough recipe, but the pastel shades make it extra festive. We used Easter-themed cookie cutters to create cute shapes like eggs, bunnies, and chicks, but honestly, my daughter had just as much fun squishing it with her hands.

Whether you’re prepping for Easter crafts or just need a quick activity to keep the little ones entertained, this DIY cloud dough is a winner.

Let’s dive into what cloud dough is and how you can make it yourself, no fancy ingredients required!

What Is Cloud Dough?

Cloud dough (also called moon dough) is a soft, moldable mixture that feels like a cross between playdough and kinetic sand. Unlike traditional playdough, cloud dough has a super silky texture, thanks to its simple ingredients. It’s great for sensory play and is easy to customize with colors, textures, or even scents.

The best part? You don’t need to cook anything or run to the store for special supplies. This cloud dough recipe uses things you probably already have at home! Just some cornstarch, lotion (or conditioner), and food coloring.

Ingredients and Supplies

To make your own DIY cloud dough, here’s what you’ll need:

• Cornstarch: The base that gives the dough its soft, crumbly texture.
• Lotion or Conditioner: This makes the dough moldable and silky smooth. Choose an unscented lotion if you want to add your own fragrance, or use a scented one for a fun twist. (We used a sweet-smelling lotion, and now our cloud dough smells amazing!)
• Food Coloring: To create beautiful pastel shades.
• Mixing Bowl: To mix the cornstarch and lotion.
• Gloves (optional): To avoid staining your hands while mixing the colors.
• Easter Cookie Cutters: For fun shapes like bunnies, eggs, or flowers.

How to Achieve Perfect Pastel Colors

Here’s how to create dreamy pastel shades for your cloud dough:

• Soft Yellow: Mix a tiny drop of yellow food coloring with white dough.
• Baby Blue: Add a single drop of blue food coloring and mix in extra white dough to lighten it.
• Mint Green: Combine equal parts blue and yellow food coloring, then add white dough to achieve the pastel tone.
• Light Pink: Use one drop of red food coloring, diluted with white dough for a soft hue.
• Lavender Purple: Mix three drops of red and one drop of blue, then add white dough to create the pastel effect.
• Peach/Soft Orange: Combine two drops of red and one drop of yellow, then lighten with white dough.

How to Make Cloud Dough

Step 1: Prepare the Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of lotion. Start mixing with a spoon, but you’ll want to switch to your hands pretty quickly—it’s the best way to get the right texture.

Step 2: Adjust the Texture

• If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in more cornstarch, a little at a time.
• If it’s too dry, add a bit more lotion until it’s soft and pliable.

Step 3: Divide and Color

Separate the dough into 5 or 6 balls (depending on how many different colors you want). Add a few drops of food coloring to each ball and knead it in until the color is evenly distributed.

Tip: Wear gloves or wash your hands after every color, otherwise your pink turns blue!

Step 4: Shape and Play

Once your dough is colored, let the fun begin! Use Easter-themed cookie cutters to create shapes like bunnies, eggs, or chicks.

FAQ: Common Cloud Dough Question

1. My cloud dough is too sticky—what should I do?
No problem! Just sprinkle in more cornstarch, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough feels silky and no longer sticks to your hands.

2. My cloud dough is too dry—how do I fix it?
Dry dough can be saved! Add a teaspoon of lotion or conditioner and knead it in. Repeat as needed until the dough feels soft and pliable.

3. How can I store cloud dough?
Store your cloud dough in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. It should last for 1-2 weeks, depending on how often it’s used. If it starts to dry out, knead in a bit more lotion to bring it back to life.

This Easter-themed DIY cloud dough is not just a fun activity for kids, it’s also a relaxing little project for moms (seriously, try it, you’ll see what I mean). Whether you’re shaping bunnies, rolling pastel eggs, or just enjoying the squishy texture, it’s a wonderful way to spend time together! 🙂

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