EASY SNOW DOUGH RECIPE
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.
Start by adding the baby oil to a medium mixing bowl. If you don’t have baby oil on hand, lotion works just as well and can even help the dough last a bit longer. Once the oil is in the bowl, slowly add the cornstarch and baking soda. Use a spoon or spatula to mix everything together until it starts to come together. This mixture creates the base of your snow dough and gives it that soft, snow-like texture.
Step 2: Add extract and glitter.
Next, it’s time to add a little winter magic! Sprinkle in the peppermint extract and glitter. The peppermint adds a fun sensory element with a light, refreshing scent, while the glitter gives your snow dough a sparkly, snowy look. This step is completely optional, so feel free to skip or adjust based on your child’s preferences.
Step 3: Mix until combined.
Using a rubber spatula or spoon, gently stir everything together until a soft, squishy dough forms. Once it’s mostly combined, use your hands to knead the dough and fully blend all the ingredients. This is a great moment to let kids help, they’ll love squishing and mixing as the dough comes together.
Step 4: Time to play!
Your snow dough is now ready for play! Place it in a sensory bin, on a tray, or right on the table and let your child explore. They can mold, scoop, build, and create, enjoying all the cozy winter fun without the cold!
What Is Snow Dough?
Snow dough is a cozy, winter-inspired sensory activity that lets kids enjoy all the magic of snow without the cold fingers or soggy socks that come along with real snow play. It’s a soft, silky dough that looks like fresh snow and feels amazing to squish, scoop, and mold, making it perfect for indoor play on chilly or rainy days.
What makes snow dough so special is how calming and sensory-friendly it feels for little hands.
Kids can gently knead it, roll it into shapes, or just explore the texture at their own pace. There’s no “right” way to play with it, which makes it especially helpful for encouraging creativity and independent play. Whether your child is building tiny snowmen, pressing in winter-themed tools, or just enjoying the sensory experience, snow dough naturally supports fine motor development and focus.
Snow dough is also incredibly adaptable for busy parents. You can keep it simple or dress it up depending on your child’s age and interests. Add letters for learning, small toys for imaginative play, or a little sparkle for extra winter magic. Best of all, it brings those cozy winter vibes indoors so everyone can stay warm, relaxed, and happily entertained.
Must-Have Tips for Snow Dough
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!
