As a mom of small kids, having a fresh batch of playdough available for a fun, non-screen activity to keep the kids busy while I get some house work or cooking done, have always been a must-have for me. Not only does it keep them busy for a good chunk of time, but we’ve all heard how playdough can be a great sensory outlet for children, allowing them to work on fine motor skills while using their imagination and creativity.
The amazing thing about homemade playdough is that it is super easy to make and it is much softer and lasts longer (when properly stored) than most store bought kinds. But even better is the fact that you can “upgrade” your playdough by incorporating your choice of essential oils so that it engages not only the tactile, visual, and proprioceptive senses, but also the olfactory system. You can also get the kids involved in making the play dough which is another fun activity in and of itself!
Today I’m going to show you how to make your own aromatherapy playdough using two of my favourite mood-lifting and confidence-boosting essential oils: dōTERRA Balance® and Wild Orange. dōTERRA’s Balance® promotes grounding, calming and reassuring feelings, and Wild Orange essential oil is great for uplifting and boosting your mood. Both of these oils are amazing to use for emotional health in general, and can help your little ones work through some big emotions and frustrations.
DIY Confidence Clay
You need:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup salt
- 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
- 1 to 1.5 cups boiling water (add bit-by-bit until it feels right)
- gel food colouring
- 5 drops of essential oils
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients, except for essential oils and food colouring (if you prefer to just have one colour, you can add the food colouring to the boiling water, otherwise wait till step 5 to make more than one colour), in a large bowl and stir until combined.
- Using a spatula, continue to stir ingredients together until it forms a ball.
- Allow to cool.
- Once cool, add two drops of dōTERRA Balance® and three drops of dōTERRA Wild Orange essential oils and knead until thoroughly combined.
- For more than one colour, divide the dough into a few smaller balls and add your different colours of gel food colouring, kneading it in until it’s combined and evenly spread throughout.
- You’re done! Just store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for months of fun.
Let us know how it goes! Other fun essential oils to try could include Peppermint or Rosemary for focus, Lavender for calming down, Lemon, and many more.
Don’t feel like making this yourself, or don’t have time? I’ll be happy to make some for you at R50 for a tub of 100g (excl. shipping costs if needed). Send me a message on +27828656954.
Want to learn more about how to incorporate dōTERRA essential oils in supporting kids emotionally and what oils to use, when? Please leave us a message in the comments below.
