Homemade Playdough Recipe That the Kids Will Love!

 How to Make Homemade Playdough...  

While we are home with the kids for the rest of the school year many parents are looking for fun, crafty, and educational activities to help fill the schedule and keep kids happy. Even when we're not in these unusual times, I'm always on the look out for activities that offer a healthy break from watching TV, Netflix shows, or general time on screens. It's important to be aware that although technology has many benefits and can be helpful, unlimited screen time may be harmful to children and adults so it is our job to provide engaging alternatives. Of course, I'm here to help! 

I thought this homemade playdough recipe would be a great morning or afternoon project to get the kids involved and help you fill their schedule at home. Going outside to play and explore is always a healthy way to spend free time but even the spring time is unpredictable with weather. I have found that having this homemade playdough recipe saved in my back pocket has been helpful when we are stuck indoors! 

Not only will your kids have fun actually having a hand in making their own homemade playdough from scratch using the these household ingredients, everyone may also receive the benefits of aromatherapy while smashing, rolling, and creating once the playdough is made by adding a few essential oils to the mix!  ​

Ingredients for Homemade Sensory Playdough:

• 1 Cup Flour
• 1 Cup Water (we use  a water filter in our home)
• ½ Cup Salt
• 2 Tablespoon Cream of Tartar
• 1 Tablespoon of a Vegetable Oil
• Optional: 6-8 drops essential oil for additional aromatherapy 

Directions for Homemade Sensory Playdough:

• Heat ingredients in saucepan over medium-low heat until dough starts to pull together.
• Remove from heat and place on wax paper to cool for 10 minutes.
• Add essential oils and knead until well combined. Do not add the essential oils before dough has cooled as it may damage the oil’s properties. The easiest way to add your oils is to make a small well in the dough, drop oils in, and then fold dough over before kneading.

Best Storage Tips:

• Store in a cool, dry place or the refrigerator for maximum life.
• The dough stores great in small mason jars.

Other Helpful Tips For The Recipe:

• This recipe makes one batch of dough. If you want multiple colors or scents increase the recipe accordingly.
• I personally avoid food dyes and artificial coloring in our home as much as possible. Try to use natural foods to add color to the dough. It will add an extra step in the process but will help reduce the exposure of unknown ingredients. Try using things like beets, red cabbage, onion, or turmeric, as an alternative to the traditional artificial food dye. Boil these items separately with water and vinegar. Once water is a deep hue of the desired color use a strainer to separate the food from the dyed water. Pour the colored water into a glass jar to keep for making playdough. Use the pre-made dyed water for the playdough recipes to create different color dough. 
• *You may need to take dough out of the fridge about 30 minutes before use and knead well to restore consistency
• For extra fun, you can add glitter to your dough after the essential oils are mixed in.  ​

Recommended Reading: A few recommended books if interested in learning more about benefits of eating healthy food and information about exposure to food dye, refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, additives, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, synthetic and artificial flavors.

Try These 7 Essential Oils for Sensory Playdough

• Stress Away: a unique combination of Lime essential oil, vanilla extract, Copaiba, Lavender, Cedarwood, and Ocotea. Stress Away has an inviting aroma that helps calm the mind and promotes relaxation. 

• Orange or Lemon: these citrus oils have a sweet, uplifting aroma. Offers an uplifting burst of liquid sunshine. With just a few drops, you can fill any space with a sense of peace, harmony, and creativity.

• Peace & Calming: a gentle, sweet blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy that offers a calming and peaceful environment with a sweet aroma. 

 

• Lavender: may promote feelings of calm, fights occasional nervous tension, and has balancing properties that calm the mind and body

 

• Peppermint: has a refreshing, cool, minty, herbal aroma and creates an invigorating and refreshing experience when inhaled.

​

• Kidscents GeneYus: a blend of Frankincense, Cedarwood, Palo Santo, Melissa, and Bergamot essential oils. Aroma creates an atmosphere conducive to clarity, creativity, and alertness. 

Please share with us about your experience making this recipe in the comments below! We would love to know which essential oils you decided to use in the recipe. 

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Thank you for all of your support. Enjoy...

-The Oil Sister ​