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Easy and Fun DIY Moon Dough

By Julie Dikken, Publisher Macaroni Kid Evergreen, Bailey & Conifer June 10, 2022

It's a fact that kids love to play with sand. It's also a fact they love to play with the expensive magic sand that you can buy at the toy store. I have to admit, I enjoy playing with it too, but I'd enjoy it a lot more if I didn't have to pay the high prices!

Making it at home is easy and inexpensive. I came across a recipe and adapted it so that it comes out just the way my kids like it! It isn't exactly like the store bought kind, but it is a close second. Best of all, the ingredients are 100% edible (not too tasty though), which makes it safe for curious toddlers (and kids of all ages!) to play with.


What you need:

  • 4-5 c. flour
  • 1 c. cooking oil
  • 1-2 tsp food coloring - optional
  • Spices (for scents) - optional
  • Flavored oils (for scents) - optional

What you do:

  • Whisk oil, food coloring and flavoring together in a bowl.
  • In another bowl, mix flour and spices
  • To the oil mixture, add two cups of flour and mix well. You can also use a mixer.
  • Add flour 1/2 cup at a time until mixed thoroughly, until you reach your desired texture. I like it when it sticks together in a ball, but still crumbles when squished.
  • Store in a shoe box size plastic container. 

We like to play with this outside on the deck for easy clean up, or on cooler days place a sheet on the floor while playing. The more the dough is played with the better the texture becomes.


Optional Add-Ins

For even more fun, add food coloring or scents to your moon dough. We came up with a few suggestions for you. Which one is your favorite?

  • Apple Pie Spice and Imitation Apple Flavoring
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice and Pumpkin Spice Extract
  • Cinnamon
  • Anais extract (Licorice)
  • Peppermint
  • Lavendar