Moon Dough
Moon dough is a fun, inexpensive craft that you can make right at home; all you need is cornstarch, conditioner, and food coloring (optional) to make a fun indoor activity that will entertain the kids for hours.
Moon Dough
If you are trying to inspire creativity in your kids this summer or on a rainy day, then look no further than making moon dough with the kids. This fun creative craft turns into hours of imaginative play once it is made. It is so easy to make (no cooking required) and it is a great project to do with the kids. Make as many batches as you want in all the colors your kids desire. This inexpensive moon dough recipe will become your go-to craft when your kids want to get creative with their hands.
Want even more creative fun? Try our homemade playdough recipe as well.
What is Moon Dough?
Moon dough is a soft dough that is made with just two ingredients (3 if you choose to dye it a different color) that is fun for kids to play with again and again. It is super simple to make and can be used again and again. It is non-toxic making it safe for kids of all ages to play with.
What You Will Love About Moon Dough
Moon dough is a fantastic, sensory-rich play material that kids and adults alike will love for several reasons. Firstly, it’s incredibly soft and easy to mold, providing a satisfying tactile experience that’s great for stress relief and creativity. The combination of cornstarch and conditioner gives it a unique texture that feels smooth and fluffy, making it a joy to handle.
Additionally, moon dough is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients that are likely already in your home. This makes it an excellent go-to for a quick, fun, and engaging activity. It’s customizable with different food colorings, allowing for endless color combinations and creativity in play.
Lastly, moon dough offers an educational aspect, as it allows kids to explore their senses and improve their fine motor skills while playing. Kneading and shaping the dough helps develop hand strength and coordination, making it a fun yet beneficial activity for young children. Plus, the process of making the dough together can be a great bonding experience for families.
Ingredients:
- ½ Cup Cornstarch
- ¼ Cup Conditioner
- 6 Drops Food Coloring (not gel or oil)
How to Make Moon Dough
- Place both the conditioner and the cornstarch in a medium mixing bowl, making sure to put them beside each other and not on top.
- Place the food coloring on top of the conditioner.
- Mix the conditioner with the food dye before mixing all the ingredients together until a dough form starts to appear.
- At this time, switch to your hands and knead the mixture until it reaches a soft playdough like texture.
- If it turns out too sticky, let it sit a bit before use as the dough will dry out just a bit more after only about 15 minutes of being mixed together. So, adding more ingredients before this has happened could result in a dry dough.
- Store in sealed, separate containers, if you desire, and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- Choose a Safe Conditioner: When making moon dough, opt for a conditioner that is labeled as non-toxic and safe for children. Always check the ingredients list to ensure there are no harmful chemicals.
- Coloring: Use food coloring sparingly to avoid staining hands and surfaces. Mix the food coloring with the conditioner before adding the cornstarch for even color distribution.
- Storage: Store moon dough in an airtight container to maintain its softness. This helps prevent it from drying out. If it becomes too dry, you can knead in a tiny bit more conditioner.
- Surface Play: Use a play mat or tray to contain the mess. Moon dough can be messy, and this will help with cleanup.
- Supervision: Always supervise young children when they are playing with moon dough. Although the ingredients are generally safe, the conditioner is not meant for ingestion.
- Consistency: Achieve the perfect dough texture by adjusting the amounts of conditioner and cornstarch. If the dough is too sticky, let it sit for a bit to dry out. If it’s too dry, add a small amount of conditioner.
- Scented Play: Use scented conditioners for an extra sensory experience. Scents like lavender, coconut, or vanilla can make playing with moon dough more enjoyable.
- Educational Use: Incorporate moon dough into learning activities like letter tracing, shape forming, or simple math exercises to make learning fun.
- Cleanup: Since moon dough can be messy, keep wet wipes or a damp cloth handy to clean up any residue from hands and surfaces.
Important Note
While moon dough is fun and a great sensory activity, always remember it is not edible. Ensure children understand this and wash their hands after playing.
Storage For Moon Dough
- Airtight Containers: Store your moon dough in airtight containers to keep it soft and pliable. Containers with secure lids prevent air from drying out the dough, maintaining its texture for longer periods.
- Separate Colors: If you’ve made multiple colors of moon dough, store each color in its own container to avoid mixing. This helps in maintaining the vibrant colors and prevents unwanted blending.
- Cool, Dry Place: Keep the containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Excessive heat or humidity can affect the consistency of the moon dough.
- Rehydrating: If the moon dough starts to dry out, you can add a small amount of conditioner to the dough and knead it until it returns to its original soft texture. Avoid adding too much at once to prevent it from becoming too sticky.
Moon Dough
Moon dough is a fun, inexpensive craft that you can make right at home; all you need is cornstarch, conditioner, and food coloring (optional) to make a fun indoor activity that will entertain the kids for hours.
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Cornstarch
- ¼ Cup Conditioner
- 6 Drops Food Coloring (not gel or oil)
Instructions
- Place both the conditioner and the cornstarch in a medium mixing bowl, making sure to put them beside each other and not on top.
- Place the food coloring on top of the conditioner.
- Mix the conditioner with the food dye before mixing all the ingredients together until a dough form starts to appear.
- At this time, switch to your hands and knead the mixture until it reaches a soft playdough like texture.
- If it turns out too sticky, let it sit a bit before use as the dough will dry out just a bit more after only about 15 minutes of being mixed together. So, adding more ingredients before this has happened could result in a dry dough.
- Store in sealed, separate containers, if you desire, and enjoy!
Notes
Prep Time: 5-20 Minutes
Yields: About ½ Cup of Dough
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
