Shorecrest Preparatory School Blog

STEAM Activity: Cloud Dough

Posted by Dr. Anna Baralt on Feb 15, 2017 8:00:00 AM

Cooking and baking with children are wonderful ways to learn math concepts. Though, admittedly it can be trying to talk through the lessons of cooking with small children when you’re in a rush to get dinner on the table.

Preschool DIY cloud dough

A fun, easy, and inexpensive recipe activity is to make cloud dough together! Cloud dough is light and fluffy and makes for hours of fun. Its texture is a departure from the better-known texture of playdough, plus moving through the ingredients makes for multi-sensory exploration, too.

MATERIALS:

  • Flour
  • Baby oil
  • Tempera paint powder
  • Bowls, spoons, and plastic bags
  • Measuring cups and spoons

TASK:

  • Measure 1 cup of flour into a bowl or plastic bag.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of baby oil.
  • Stir the oil and flour together well.
  • Add ¼ teaspoon of tempera paint powder.
  • Continue to mash and blend until the color is mixed through the dough.

LEARNING CONCEPTS:

  • Measurement, proportions, fractions, and ratios
  • If you wanted to double the recipe, what would your measurements be?
  • If you wanted to make this recipe for eight people, what would your measurements be?

EXPLORATION QUESTIONS:

  • Why do you think the dough holds its shape?

In The Experiential School at Shorecrest, cloud dough and other cooking activities are some of the preschool students’ favorites! They love to see the ingredients transform before their eyes. Try this screen-free activity at home with your preschool child for hours of playtime fun!


Shorecrest is home to the annual St. Pete STEAMfest, a free family-friendly festival that encourages children's interests in STEAM subjects - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. To learn about STEAM in the Shorecrest PK-12 curriculum, we invite you to take a personal tour with one of our Admissions Officers or Student Ambassadors. 

Schedule a Tour

Topics: Preschool, STEAM, DIY