Moon Dough Recipe – “Moon Dust” Sensory Play

Looking for a fun and budget-friendly activity that will keep kids entertained for hours? This moon dough recipe is the perfect solution!

Made with just two simple ingredients, moon dough is soft, pliable, and wonderfully mess-free.

It’s an ideal Kids Sensory play option for toddlers and young children, encouraging creativity and fine motor skill development.

My kids are obsessed with space and the moon. When they heard what this dough was called, they really thought moon dough came from the moon.

The first time we made this dough, they were disappointed that the dough was simply flour and oil.

However, for this batch, I thought I’d take the moon to them and make moon dough that really looks like moon dust!

The kids were delighted with it and spent a long time pretending they were astronauts driving lunar vehicles across the surface of the moon. 

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Adorable Astronaut Books

Enjoy these recommended Astronaut Books that are perfect once your kids are done playing!

Roaring Rockets (Amazing Machines)If You Decide To Go To The MoonOnce in a Full MoonYou Are the First Kid on Mars

 

Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True StoryPete the Cat: Out of This WorldBusy People: AstronautGoodnight, Astronaut

 

Or enjoy these Space Books for Toddlers. It’s the perfect way to combine education, fun and cuddles during storytime.

What Is Moon Dough Used For

Moon dough is used as a fun, sensory-rich play material that helps children develop fine motor skills, spark creativity, and engage in imaginative play.

It’s soft, moldable, and often used for sculpting shapes, pressing with cookie cutters, or building small worlds.

Can Moon Dough Dry Out

Moon dough does not dry out easily because it’s typically made with oil (like baby oil or vegetable oil) and flour, which keeps it soft and pliable.

4-in-1 Sand Water Table, 32PCS Sandbox Table Kids Activity Sensory Play TableECR4Kids 2-Station Sand and Water Adjustable Play Table, Sensory BinsToddler Sensory Kids Table with LidStep2 Naturally Playful Sand Table, Kids Sand Activity Sensory Table

 

However, if left uncovered for long periods, it can collect dust or become crumbly from environmental exposure.

To keep moon dough fresh and soft:

• Store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to prevent exposure to air and dust.
• Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat.
• Wash hands before use to reduce bacteria or dirt transferring to the dough.
• If it ever becomes slightly dry, knead in a small amount of oil to restore its texture.

Ideas for Themed Moon Dough Play Activities

Here are fun themed moon dough play activity ideas for kids:

• Beach Day: Use blue and tan moon dough to create sand and water scenes with seashells, toy crabs, and mini umbrellas.
• Construction Site: Add toy trucks, pebbles and small blocks to brown moon dough for digging and hauling fun.
• Dinosaur Dig: Hide plastic dinos or “fossils” in moon dough for kids to excavate with brushes and tools.
• Bakery Pretend Play: Shape dough into cookies, cakes and pastries with play dishes and rolling pins.
• Garden Theme: Use green and brown moon dough with pretend flowers, bugs and gardening tools.
• Space Adventure: Add glitter to black or purple dough with toy rockets and alien figures.
• Animal Habitat: Use natural-colored dough with animal toys to explore desert, forest, or arctic settings.

How to Make Moon Dust

Follow these tips to make your own moon dust!

What you’ll need:

• Flour
• Vegetable oil
• Blue food coloring
• Space-themed toys or trucks (optional, but fun!)
• Play tray

Whip up a batch of basic moon dough!

We used two cups of flour and half a cup of vegetable oil and mixed it with a pastry fork.

Depending on the humidity in your house, you may need to add a bit more oil.

Brainstorm Toys: Space Flashlight and ProjectorOuter Space Planets Dart BoardJOYIN Rocket Ship Play TentCreativity for Kids Outer Space Sensory Bin

 

We like our dough to be firm enough to hold it shape, particularly for this version because we had to make moon rocks and moon craters.

When the dough is mixed, sprinkle the top with blue food coloring.

Mix in the food coloring with the pastry fork.

The food coloring won’t mix all the way and will leave little clumps of blue.

The rest of the dough will turn a light grey color, looking very similar to real moon dust!

Pour the moon dust into your play tray.

Show the kids how to form craters, moon rocks, and other space-themed shapes from the dough.

Space Shuttle with Lights & Sounds & FigureGalaxy Bath Bombs for Kids with Surprise InsideAstronaut Galaxy Star Projector Starry Night LightSpace Exploration Shuttle Toys

 

My kids love driving their cars through the dough to leave little tracks behind.

When you’re finished playing, wash your hands with soap to get rid of any lingering flour and oil.

More Outer Space Sensory Ideas

• Outer Space Sensory Bin
• Moon Dust Sensory Writing Tray
• Moon Crafts and Activities for Kids
• DIY Moon Sand
• Astronaut and Moon Sensory Activities
• Erupting Moon Dust Prewriting Activity
• Printable Astronaut and Moon Activities