I love this time of year, but the weather changes bring migraines for me. On those days, this peppermint cloud dough is my go-to sensory bin.
It’s easy to throw together and clean up, it smells refreshing, and it’s made with everyday kitchen ingredients.
How to Make Peppermint Cloud Dough
Christmas Playdough Task Cards
Get the printable8 cups flour
1 cup vegetable or other cooking oil
Red gel food coloring
1 to 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
Bin, candy cane spoons and fine motor tools
Mix flour and oil
Combine the flour and oil in a big bin.
Add color
Work in gel food coloring. My kids had their own color ideas, so go with the flow.
Mix with hands
Squish it until it’s moldable but still fluffy. Add oil for a stickier dough.
Add the scent
Mix in the peppermint extract.
Play
Scoop, mold and dig.
Is it taste safe?
With food-grade peppermint extract instead of essential oil, a nibble won’t hurt, but it isn’t a snack. Essential oils shouldn’t be eaten, and peppermint oil isn’t recommended for young children. Raw flour can carry germs, so heat-treat it for kids who mouth things.
Cloud Dough Tips
- The ratio: 8 cups flour to 1 cup oil. Halve it for a smaller bin.
- Nut allergies: Skip almond oil and use vegetable oil.
- Storing it: Keep it in an airtight container for a week or two.
- Fun tools: Candy cane spoons, cookie cutters and a Christmas tree tray.
More holiday sensory play
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Build Christmas trees and more with our Christmas Lego mats.
Winter printables include
- Hands-on fine motor task cards
- Picture-based directions
- Instant PDF download, nothing is shipped
Perfect for
- Winter centers
- Preschool and kindergarten
- OT
- Indoor play days
Cloud Dough FAQ
Mix 8 parts flour to 1 part cooking oil, then add food coloring and peppermint extract.
For a taste safe dough, use food-grade peppermint extract. Peppermint essential oil isn’t recommended for young kids.
A week or two in an airtight container.
Add a little more oil and mix.
More Winter Sensory Play
See all →
From families like yours
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We love seeing these activities out in the wild: the lumpy letters, the snack breaks, the proud “I made a B!” moments. Leave a star rating, tell other parents what worked (and what totally didn’t), and add a photo of your setup if you’d like.
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