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Create magical winter fun indoors with this easy snow dough recipe—perfect for shaping a cute snowmen, adding glittery sparkle, and sparking kids’ imagination.
How to Make Snow Dough for Kids
Sometimes the winter weather is just too cold to enjoy outside. So instead, we can bring the magic of the snow indoors with this fun hands-on craft of making snow dough! This simple fake snow recipe uses just three ingredients and provides endless opportunities for creative play. Kids will love the soft, silky texture and the chance to mold their very own snowman. Let’s dive into this easy winter activity!
Materials Needed To Make Snow Dough
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup of lotion* (we used a white baby lotion but any colorless lotion will work)
- Iridescent Glitter (optional but adds a magical touch)
- Black buttons
- Fleece or felt
- Orange foam
- Googly eyes
- Toothpicks (optional and for older kids)
* Can also swap out hair conditioner for the lotion. Grab some from the Dollar store for an inexpensive craft!
HOW TO VIDEO:
How To Make Snow Dough
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of cornstarch and 1/2 cup of baby lotion. Use a spoon to mix the mixture until it begins to come together, then knead the dough with your hands until smooth. If the dough feels too dry, add a bit more baby lotion. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle in more cornstarch.
Step 2: Add some Shimmer!
Add the Sparkle: Once the dough has reached the consistency you desire, sprinkle in some glitter and knead again. The glitter will give your snow dough a frosty, wintery sparkle that kids will adore!
Step 3: Build your Snowman!
Get Creative: Now the fun begins! Roll and shape the dough into a snowman. Stack two dough balls of varying sizes on top of each other to create the classic snowman shape. Begin adding your desired accessories. We added a fleece scarf, black buttons, googly eyes, foam nose and lastly two toothpick arms.
Why This Craft is Perfect for Kids:
This snow dough recipe is not only fun for big kids but is also beneficial for little hands! Kids will develop fine motor skills while rolling, shaping, and decorating the dough helps strengthen their hand muscles and encourages creativity. Plus, the silky texture of the snow dough is soothing and great for sensory play.
Crafty Tips:
- Scented Fun: Use scented baby lotion for an added sensory activity. Lavender or vanilla scents can create a calming atmosphere while playing.
- Storage: Store any leftover snow dough in an air-tight container to keep it soft and pliable for future play. (This type of dough will crumble as it dries, similar to playdough. It’s not meant to be used for for long term sculptures)
- Add Color: If your kids want colorful snow dough, such as a soft blue color, mix in a small drop of food coloring into the lotion before adding the cornstarch.
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