Whether those temperatures have dropped or there’s rain in the forecast, having indoor sensory play ideas up your sleeve is always a smart choice! One of my family’s favorite winter-inspired activities is snow dough. 

With just a few ingredients, you and your kids can create a soft and silky dough that feels just like freshly fallen snow! It’s perfect for inspiring creativity and encouraging the development of their fine motor skills. (Not to mention, it keeps them entertained for hours!) 

We love that you can transform your snow dough in lots of different ways! Add glitter for extra magic, 3D letters and winter shapes for learning, or even tiny toys for hands-on exploring—and it’s much better than the fake snow you buy at stores. 

So, gather the kids, and let’s make the winter-inspired playdough recipe, snow dough! 

EASY SNOW DOUGH RECIPE

Snow Dough Ingredients

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 1 tbsp baking soda

• ½ cup baby oil (or lotion)

• 1 tsp peppermint extract

• 1 tsp glitter

How To Make Snow Dough

Step 1: Combine your baby oil, baking soda, and cornstarch.

In a bowl, you’ll first want to add the baby oil. If you’re out, you can always use lotion! Next, add your cornstarch and baking soda and combine. This serves as your base.

Step 2: Add extract and glitter.

Why not spruce up this fun sensory activity with more winter magic? Add a small amount of peppermint extract and glitter to create an even more immersive sensory experience.

Step 4: Mix until combined.

Using a rubber spatula, combine all the ingredients, stirring until it becomes a soft, squishy dough Then, knead it with your hands to fully mix everything! (Your kids will love helping with this.) 

Step 5: Time to play! 

Now you have the perfect homemade snow dough that brings the outdoors in without the frostbite! Place the dough into your child’s sensory bin and let them have at it!

Must-Have Tips

• If the dough feels like it’s too gooey, add 1 tbsp of cornstarch until it feels dry enough. If it’s too dry, add a little more baby oil. The goal is to create a velvety and soft dough that doesn’t leave residue behind.

• If you find baby oil makes the mixture too silky, lotion is a great alternative. It’ll also help the mixture last a little longer.

• To make a 100% taste-safe snow dough, substitute the baby oil for vegetable oil and regular glitter for the edible kind. 

• We also love recycled play at our house! These recycled roller stamps or cap stamps can add to your snow dough experience. 

• If you don’t have a sensory table, you can easily play with this on a countertop or dining room table! However, putting together an inexpensive DIY sensory table is definitely ideal if you plan on doing more sensory activities in the future! 

• To store snow dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and then put it into an airtight container. If it dries out, just add more baby oil! 

Snow dough is the best way to bring winter vibes inside!

Looking for more holy grail activities for your little ones to do when the weather changes? The Mothercould in Your Pocket resource is a must-have for everyday sensory activities for little hands! 

Each exclusive activity is packed with ways you can transform common items into engaging sensory activities in your home and classroom. (But don’t blame us when your little ones can’t get enough of them!) 

On the Mothercould blog, you’ll also find recipes for other doughs like this one, including cloud dough, moon dough, rainbow play dough, tea-dyed play dough, and taste-safe play dough!  

Your whole family is going to love these DIY activities and crafts. Have fun!