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DIY Calming Playdough Recipe
I love toys that are both fun and beneficial, so when I came up with this calming playdough recipe I just had to share it with you. This DIY playdough is great because it’s fun, healthy, and can be educational. Plus, this recipe for playdough is quick and easy to make; in fact, even little hands can help out! What’s not to love, right?
From a health standpoint, this calming playdough is great because it’s a natural way to help kiddos unwind at the end of the day. Digital activities, such as watching TV or playing video games, can keep little ones up at night, so this is a great low-tech way to tell those little noggins its time to hit the sack!
Plus, the repetitive motions such as kneading and rolling can be very soothing. Adding essential oils like lavender to this DIY playdough is a great way to take advantage of aromatherapy. 🙂
Psst! Using this lavender linen spray on their sheets and pillows is another great way to promote relaxation.
From a learning standpoint, this DIY playdough can help kids better develop motor skills, use their imagination, and with the use of some cookie cutters or other tools, teach shapes, numbers, etc. Make this recipe for playdough using different mica powders to achieve different colors, and then you can even use this calming playdough to teach colors.
Tip: Don’t try to pack too much learning into a session with this calming playdough. Remember, the point is to unwind, relax. If you’d rather use this DIY playdough as a learning tool, consider opting for more stimulating scents like peppermint and use it during the day instead of at bedtime.
Another thing I love about this calming playdough is that you don’t need any fancy ingredients. In fact, if you’re an essential oils user, the only ingredient you probably don’t have on hand for this recipe is the mica powder, and honestly, you could make this recipe for playdough without it. (The mica powder is just to add color; if you leave it out, your end product will be whatever color the conditioner was plus the cornstarch.)
You can make a batch of this calming playdough in about 10 minutes, and since there’s no sharp objects or cooking involved, feel free to let the kiddos help out!
This 4 ingredient recipe for playdough is super easy to make. Choose from either a stimulating or calming playdough recipe!
INGREDIENTS
½ cup hair conditioner*
1 cup cornstarch
10-15 drops essential oil
Mica powder
*When selecting a conditioner for this recipe for playdough, choose an unscented option if possible so it doesn’t compete with the essential oil(s).
DIRECTIONS
1. Stir together hair conditioner and cornstarch.
Tip: if your calming playdough is too dry add a little more conditioner and work it in. If it is too wet simply knead in a little more cornstarch.
2. Add mica powder a little at a time until the desired hue is achieved.
Tip: For even more calming playdough, opt for pastels like lavender and baby blue.
3. Make a well in the center of the DIY playdough and add essential oils
Tip: Lavender and vetiver essential oils are a great choice for relaxing, calming playdough. However, if you’d rather create DIY playdough that is stimulating and helps kids wake up, opt for citrus essential oils or peppermint essential oil for this recipe for playdough.
4. Fold the playdough over, again and again, to work the essential oils in.
Looking for more fun ideas and DIY projects similar to this calming playdough recipe? If so, be sure to following Freebie Finding Mom’s Pinterest boards for inspiration. Specifically, check out:
DIY Calming Playdough Recipe
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Want a fun yet relaxing activity that the kids will love? Whip up a batch of this DIY Calming Playdough. To create this calming DIY playdough recipe you’ll need only 4 ingredients which includes essential oils like lavender or vetiver and it takes just about ten minutes to make.
Materials
- ½ cup hair conditioner*
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 10-15 drops essential oil
- Mica powder
Instructions
- Stir together hair conditioner and cornstarch.Tip: if your calming playdough is too dry add a little more conditioner and work it in. If it is too wet simply knead in a little more cornstarch.
- Add mica powder a little at a time until the desired hue is achieved.Tip: For even more calming playdough, opt for pastels like lavender and baby blue.
- Make a well in the center of the DIY playdough and add essential oilsTip: Lavender and vetiver essential oils are a great choice for relaxing, calming playdough. However, if you’d rather create DIY playdough that is stimulating and helps kids wake up, opt for citrus essential oils or peppermint essential oil for this recipe for playdough.
- Fold the playdough over, again and again, to work the essential oils in.
Notes
*When selecting a conditioner for this recipe for playdough, choose an unscented option if possible so it doesn’t compete with the essential oil(s).
About Kelli
Kelli Bhattacharjee is the owner of Freebie Finding Mom. When she's not goofing around with her son, she's busy blogging, or just hanging out with the family which usually involves listening to music too loud and having dance parties.
