Moon dough is a soft, magical sensory dough that presses into shapes and crumbles apart in little hands. Made simply from 1 part conditioner to 2 parts cornflour (cornstarch), and other simple variations.

Toddlers adore it, and you can make it in minutes!

Below is our favorite go-to recipe, plus some alternatives to try.

Before you dive in, just remember, moon dough is not a snack, if your toddler is still mouthing everything, save this craft for a later stage and rather check out more ideas here!

Let's get squishing!

This is the one we make again and again. It comes together fast, feels silky-soft, and smells amazing.

What you need:

• 2 cups cornflour (cornstarch)

• 1 cup baby hair conditioner

• 1 drop of vanilla essence (optional, for a lovely smell)

Easy ratio to remember: 2 parts cornflour to 1 part conditioner.

How to make it:

1. Pour the cornflour into a bowl.

2. Add the conditioner.

3. Mix it together until it feels soft and moldable.

4. Add a drop of vanilla essence and give it one more mix.

Now the fun part. You can break it, roll it, press it, and cut it. Want it a little gooier? Just add a bit more conditioner and mix it in. Store it in an airtight container for up to 7 days if it stays clean.

What you need:

• 1 cup cornstarch (cornflour)

• 1 cup golden or light brown sugar

• 4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

How to make it:

1. Mix the cornstarch and sugar.

2. Pour in the melted coconut oil.

3. Stir and squish out the clumps until it feels like soft sand.

Store in a sealed bag and use within about a week.

Best for: bright, rainbow sensory bins.

What you need (per color):

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup cooking oil (vegetable or coconut)

• Optional: oil-based food color

How to make it:

1. Ratio: 8 parts flour to 1 part oil.

2. Stir the color into the oil first if you are using it.

3. Pour the oil into the flour.

4. Mix, then break up the lumps with your hands until it holds its shape when you squeeze it.

Keeps up to 1 week in a sealed container. Store it in a sealed container for a couple of weeks. This one also uses raw flour, so it is for play, not snacking.

It is a helpful thing to know.

• Taste-safe means a little taste will not hurt. But it is not a snack.

• Edible means it is actually made from food.

You know your child best. Whichever recipe you pick, supervised play makes it more fun for everyone, and it is always good to keep allergies and age in mind.

Making the dough is the easy part. The hard part is deciding what to do with your toddler every single day. That is the part we take off your plate.

Little Roots Playroom gives you simple, low-prep play ideas for ages 2 to 4, using things you already have at home. No clutter. No guessing. Just open it and play.

Come join us and see how light your days can feel.

Click here to learn more!

What is moon dough? Moon dough (also called moon sand or cloud dough) is a soft, moldable sensory material made from a dry base like flour or cornstarch mixed with a little oil. It presses into shapes and crumbles apart, which toddlers love.

How long does homemade moon dough last? Most batches keep for one to four weeks in a sealed container, depending on the recipe.

Throw it out if it smells off or looks dirty.

What age is moon dough good for? It is a favorite for toddlers ages 3+ with supervision.

For babies and younger toddlers who mouth everything, rather save this for when they are out of that phase and see our other awesome craft and activities here!