Sensory Play
I love sensory play for my kids. I am always looking for new ideas and combinations to give my kids some new sensory experiences. Scented play dough combines both touch and smell to give toddler an extra brain boost. The combinations are endless. In this post I use essential oil to scent the play dough but you could use lots of other household ingredients like teas, spices, or even cocoa!
I have tried a TON of Playdough recipes over the years but I keep returning to this recipe. It's the softest, non-stickiest, and longest lasting out of all the recipes I've tried. Its also relatively simple to make. I doubled this recipe to make six colours instead of three.
Scented Playdough
This is a cooked recipe so I start by combining all the dry ingredients in a large pot. (I have yet to find a non-cooked recipe that doesn't end up sticky!) stir all the dry ingredients so that they are well mixed
Now add the oil and water to the pot. Stir it till its well combined. It should be fairly liquidy still at this point. Try to work out most of the lumps so that it's as smooth as possible
Turn your stove to medium and begin stirring. It will begin to thicken as soon as it warms. Continue stirring until it forms a large ball. Turn the ball onto a strip of wax paper and let it cool.
Now for the fun part! Once the Playdough is cool enough to handle separate it into 3 balls. Push in the centre of each ball to create a well to add your colour and essential oils. Then kneed it till it is completely combined. It should smell amazing at this point and each time it's played with
I like to use lavender. I did buy some amazing scents off amazon that smell like cupcakes and bubblegum, but my kids kept eating it! Oh well maybe once they are a little older. For now I have had good luck with lavender(great for calming the unhappy child),peppermint, and Lemmon.
Ingredients
2 cups flour
3/4 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tarter
2 cups of warm water
2 tablespoons on coconut oil
Food colouring
essential oils
Directions
Combine the flour, salt, and cream of tarter in a large pot. Stir well. Next add the water and oil and stir till most of the lumps are out. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly. It will thicken quickly. Continue stirring until it forms a ball. Remove from the stove and place the ball on a piece of wax paper to cool. Once its cool enough to handle kneed it until its smooth. Divide the dough into three balls making a well in the middle to add your food colouring and essential oils. Kneed the dough until the colour is all mixed in. Tip: Place the play dough and the food colouring and oils in a large zip lock bag and kneed it in the bag to save your hands from staining.
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