4 Easy Dough-Like Play Materials You Can Make at Home

Looking for fun, budget-friendly activities for your little ones? Dough-based sensory play is a hands-on way to boost creativity, build fine motor skills, and support calming sensory regulation—all while having fun! These four dough-like play materials are easy to make with pantry staples and are perfect for rainy days, playdates, or everyday exploration.

Play-Doh (Homemade Version)

1. Play-Doh (Homemade Version)

A soft, moldable dough that’s perfect for cutting, rolling, and sculpting—Play-Doh is a classic sensory material that never goes out of style.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups flour

• 1 cup salt

• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 2 cups water

• Food coloring (optional)

  
  

How to Make It:

1. Mix all dry ingredients in a large pot.

2. Add water, oil, and food coloring.

3. Stir over medium heat until the dough starts to form a ball and pulls away from the sides.

4. Let cool, then knead until smooth.

   
   

Play Ideas: Use cookie cutters, rollers, or create pretend food and animals. Store in an airtight container for weeks of play!

Note: Supervision is recommended

2. Cloud Dough

This silky, crumbly dough is moldable yet soft, offering a unique sensory experience that smells great and is fun to squish.

What You’ll Need:

• 8 cups flour

• 1 cup baby oil (or vegetable oil)

  
  

How to Make It:

1. Mix the flour and oil in a large bowl.

2. Stir until the mixture holds its shape when pressed but still crumbles easily.

   
   

Play Ideas: Hide small toys in the dough for a treasure hunt, mold it into cupcake liners, or use scoops and spoons for pretend baking.

Note: Supervision is recommended

Cloud Dough

3. Salt Dough

Salt dough is ideal for creating keepsakes, ornaments, and sculptures that can be baked and painted.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 cups flour

• 1 cup salt

• 1 cup water

  
  

How to Make It:

1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.

2. Slowly add water while mixing until it forms a smooth dough.

3. Knead for 5-10 minutes until soft and pliable.

   
   

   Now it’s time to add some scent and color to your dough! You can use things like herbs, flowers, spices, extracts, or essential oils—whatever you have on hand. We used a mix to give each batch of dough its own unique scent and color.

   
   

   Some ideas you might try: dried lavender, finely chopped fresh rosemary, cinnamon or ginger from your spice cupboard, vanilla extract, or even a few drops of peppermint oil. For the color, a few drops of liquid food coloring will really make your dough pop.

   
   

   1. Set up separate bowls for each scent and color combo, added just a little water, and gave it a good stir. Then we gradually mixed in our flour and salt mixture.

   
   

   2. Keep mixing until the dough starts to come together. If it’s feeling too sticky, just add a bit more flour. If it’s too dry, a splash more water will do the trick.

   
   

   3.Once the dough feels right, take a few minutes to knead it by hand. This helps it become soft, smooth, and easy to play with—just like store-bought playdough.

And that’s it! You’ve got homemade salt dough that smells amazing and is ready for creative fun.

Play Ideas: Shape into handprints, ornaments, or nature imprints. Let air dry or bake at 200°F (90°C) for 1–2 hours depending on thickness. Once dry, paint and seal for long-lasting creations.

Note: Supervision is recommended

Salk Dough

4. Oobleck

This fascinating non-Newtonian mixture behaves like both a liquid and a solid—perfect for science exploration!

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup cornstarch

• ½ cup water

• Food coloring (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Combine cornstarch and water in a bowl.

2. Stir slowly until the mixture thickens. It should feel solid when you squeeze it but ooze through your fingers when released.

   
   

Play Ideas: Try poking, squeezing, or tapping it. Let kids explore how pressure changes its texture. Add plastic animals or cars for messy play themes.

Pro Tip: This is best played with on a tray or in a bin. Clean up with warm water—it washes away easily!

Note: Supervision is recommended

Why It Matters

Dough-like play materials aren’t just fun—they support:

• Fine motor skill development

• Language and creativity through pretend play

• Sensory integration and regulation

• Emotional expression and calming

  
  

And the best part? You can whip them up with everyday ingredients.

Whether you're homeschooling, running a day home, or simply looking for ways to engage your kids with something meaningful (and screen-free!), these homemade doughs are an affordable, enriching solution.

Note: Supervision is recommended

Pin it, save it, or share with your favorite busy parent.

Want more play-based learning ideas? Be sure to subscribe to The Rad Mama Journey for DIY fun, preschool tips, and real-life motherhood hacks.

Thanks, Rad Mama