Snow Dough Recipe
If you haven’t made playdough before, this recipe is a great place to begin. It requires just 2 main ingredients and doesn’t involve any cooking, making it wonderfully easy! Kids will also love the smooth, soft texture of this homemade playdough. It’s among the softest doughs you can make.
This dough is also gluten free.
Find our classic playdough recipe here.
For a colorful version of this dough, visit our post on making cloud dough.
Interested in making homemade fake snow? Try our fake snow recipe.
How To Make Snow Dough
No cooking is needed for this homemade playdough. It’s a convenient option when you want to make dough but don’t have access to a stovetop or kettle. The ingredients come together in just 5 minutes, making it a super quick activity.
It’s gluten free as well!
Gather these ingredients:
- Cornstarch
- Lotion (conditioner is another option, although we found that lotion keeps the dough usable for longer)
- Iridescent glitter (optional) – try this eco-friendly glitter
- Snowflake cookie cutters are perfect for making snowflake shapes!
How do I store snow dough?
To keep the dough fresh and usable for as long as possible, close it securely to prevent drying. First wrap it in plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight container to help retain its soft texture. If it starts to dry slightly, add a little more lotion and knead it well.
How do I keep the dough soft?
Wrap the dough in saran wrap before placing it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Since exposure to air makes dough dry, reducing the air around it during storage helps preserve its softness and extends its life.
How do you make the dough soft again?
If the dough dries out or feels a little firm after you make it, knead in a small amount of lotion. When the mixture becomes too sticky, add a little more cornstarch until the texture improves.
How long does it last?
This dough does not last as long as our traditional playdough recipe. The lotion can begin to dry within about a week. Fortunately, it’s easy to revive by adding a few extra squeezes of lotion and kneading them into the dough. Afterward, it should feel almost as fresh as when first made.
Snow Dough Recipe
- Add 1/2 cup of lotion to a mixing bowl.
- Mix in 1 cup of cornstarch.
- Combine the ingredients until they are completely blended. Before removing the mixture from the bowl, check that it has formed a ball and is no longer sticky.
- Place the dough on wax paper and knead it with your hands. Keep working it until it develops a dough-like consistency. If it is still sticky, knead in another tablespoon of cornstarch. Continue until the dough feels smooth and does not stick.
- If you like, sprinkle in some glitter and knead it evenly into the dough.
Note: when the mixture is especially sticky and will not come together, knead in one additional tablespoon of cornstarch.
Once the dough is ready, set out snowflake cookie cutters and rolling pins so the fun can begin!
To store: wrap the playdough in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container to help it last longer. If it dries out, add a small squeeze of lotion and knead it thoroughly into the dough.