Are you spending more time at home with the kids lately?

A lot of folks are managing new schedules with their families, looking for ways to keep kids busy learning, while also having fun.

Children learn best while playing. 

So I want to share some playful, interactive essential oil projects you can make with your kiddos. These are safe blends they can use all by themselves. And the essential oils create a relaxing atmosphere that helps them feel reassured, calm, and focused while they play.

Lavender Play Dough

Kids love this fun DIY play dough! 

They can mold it into different shapes, and it holds its form until they smash it, or mold it into another shape. 

This recipe comes from Aromahead Team member Christine Stalsonburg. (Christine’s official title at Aromahead is “Wonderful Social Media Support & Certified Aromatherapist!”)

Ingredients

• 2 cups Flour
• 2 cups Water
• 1 cup Salt
• 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 tsp Cream of tartar
• 3 drops Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)

Directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients (except the Lavender oil) in a large saucepan, and stir until they’re combined. 
2. Place over medium heat on the stove and stir until it comes to a boil.
3. Remove the blend from heat and spread it on parchment paper.
4. Allow it to cool. 
5. Drop the Lavender essential oil onto the “dough” and knead it together until it’s thoroughly distributed. (This is the part kids like to help with!)
6. Store your Play Dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for months of fun!
7. If you’d rather leave the essential oil out of this play dough recipe, go ahead and replace some of the water with hydrosol.

As for the vegetable oil, you can use any oil you like! Olive oil is one example of a good substitute. 

Adding a bit of colored mica is a great way to make fun colors. It comes in both powdered and liquid forms. Natural food coloring is also an option—just be aware that it could stain skin.

There’s no set shelf life for homemade play dough. But it can last up to three months if you store it in an airtight container.

“Orange Nose” Inhaler

Inhalers are a safe, easy way for children to use essential oils! 

This inhaler recipe helps kids stay calm, focused, and healthy during playtime. It can open their breath and boost their immune system. (It’s especially nice for them to take along on play dates, if they have those.) 

Kids can carry their “Orange Nose” inhaler around in a pocket and use it anytime they start to feel mad or sad… or just whenever they want. It’s an empowering thing they can do for themselves without having to ask mom or dad.

And “Orange Nose” is fun to say!

• 2 drops Frankincense essential oil (Boswellia carterii)
• 2 drops Sweet Orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis)
• 2 drops Tea Tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

You’ll need 1 blank aromatherapy inhaler to make this blend.

An inhaler is about the size of a lip balm tube. It comes with a little cotton “wick” that absorbs the essential oils.

A great way for kids to help make this recipe is to let them drop the essential oils into a small bowl. Then you can use the cotton wick to absorb the oils, and drop it into the plastic “sleeve” of the inhaler. Snap the bottom of the inhaler into place, and that’s it! 

Make Friends with the Monsters Spray

Help kids change their thinking about “monsters.”

Instead of trying to banish the scary monsters, you can suggest that maybe the monsters don’t want to feel so scary. Maybe they’re sad because they don’t have any friends. 

Encourage children to make friends with the monsters, spraying them with nice-smelling essential oils. This can help the monsters feel a lot nicer!

• 2 oz (60 ml) Water or Lavender hydrosol (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 4 drops Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 3 drops Frankincense essential oil (Boswellia carterii)
• 3 drops Sweet Orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis)
• About 2 ml Solubol (dispersant)

Pour your water or hydrosol into a 2 oz (60 ml) glass or PET plastic spray bottle.

Add the Solubol. This will help the essential oils stay dispersed through the water-based carrier. 

Now it’s time to add the drops of essential oil into the bottle—this is where kids can take part!

Show them how to shake the bottle and spray their blend around their room, or wherever the “monster” might stand.

Have fun playing!

Being stuck at home can be rough on kids. I hope these recipes give them hours of fun, and help them stay smiling and healthy.

Leave a comment and let me know how your kids like these activities. 

If they love the Lavender Play Dough, I’ll send your message on to Christine!