For some reason, all kids love play dough.
I get it. Some days I just need to squeeeeze something.
Like Mondays. Darn you Mondays.
Creek loves to create with his play dough.
Everything from tractors to cheeseburgers,
he really lets his imagination run wild.
Mama confession: sometimes, play dough is my babysitter.
The only downside is that I find the junk everywhere.
The couch cushions, the shower, the silverware drawer…yeah.
Since we go through it pretty quickly, we decided to
start making our own, and we are never going back.
He loves helping, and it is so easy!
I mean, it really is just dough,
and I already have all of the stuff in my pantry.
If I can make something without having to
put on real pants and leave my house, I’m sold.
We even add essential oils to increase the sensory stimulation.
Fancy talk for “it smells better”. ‘Nuff said.
Homemade Aromatherapy Play Dough
Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp cream of tartar
- 1 cup water
- food coloring
- essential oils (contact me to learn which oils I prefer)
Step One:
Combine flour, salt, oil, cream of tartar, and water in a medium saucepan
and mix with a wooden spoon until well blended.
Step Two:
Cook the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring continuously,
until it is not longer sticky and forms a thick dough (about five minutes).
It should form a lump in the center of the pot and no longer stick to the sides.
Step Three:
Remove the dough ball and let it cool for about five minutes.
Step Four:
Divide the dough into four equal pieces, form a well in the center of each one,
and add about 10 drops of different food coloring to each piece.
(Add more if you are going for more vibrant color, or less if using gel food coloring)
Knead until the color is well blended.
Creek loved choosing his colors and watching the dough change.
You might want to wear gloves for this step.
Step Five:
Form another well in the center of each piece and add 4-6 drops
of various essential oils to each dough ball.
Add more if the scent isn’t strong enough for you.
Creek chose his own scents and we added them to the color that matched.
We just store our play dough in air tight plastic containers.
Every time Creek opens them he takes a big whiff and says
“Ahhh, dood” (good)
He loves to smell each one and name the different scents while he plays.
This is such an easy project and great way to get the kids involved in creating their own fun.
The possibilities are endless!
On a side-note, apparently wine bottle openers
make great play dough tools.
“It’s all twistery!”
Twistery is important, ya know.
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