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Simple homemade playdough recipe with aromatherapy benefits and the best essential oil blends for kids.

4 different colored balls of fresh made playdough on wooden table top

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With four little kids running around, we spend very little time inside.  Being inside just feels chaotic.  As soon as the fights begin or something is getting destroyed, we head straight outside.  The open space, the fresh air, and the millions of ride-on toys are just what my kids need.

One of the many reasons I love summer is that everyone can run out barefoot and in a diaper.  I dread the winter months when it seems to take longer to bundle everyone up than the time we actually have to play outside.  Unfortunately, with winter comes a lot more inside time.  I need to have inside activities planned for each day to keep these little people busy and entertained.  

SIMPLE HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH VIDEO 

The only thing more fun than playing with playdough is making playdough.almost finished blue play dough on stove top in medium pot

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This recipe is simple to make, and with the added essential oils, children reap many benefits when playing with it. My kids had fun helping me with this one!  (Gluten-free recipe at the end)

SIMPLE HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH INGREDIENTS

SIMPLE HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH INSTRUCTIONS heating up ingredients for diy playdough in metal pot

  1. Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a saucepan.
  2. Stir in water, vegetable oil, and if you’re using food coloring, add that too.
  3. Heat the ingredients on low heat, stirring often until the dough forms into a ball.
  4. Once the dough had reached the consistency of playdough, remove from the heat.
  5. Allow the mixture to cool and then add essential oils of choice.  Knead the oils into the dough until well combined.
  6. Store in an airtight container or ziplock bags.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR SIMPLE HOMEMADE PLAY DOUGH freshly made play doh on wooden table

Our Favorites Essential Oils for PlayDough 

Wild Orange: immune support and cleansing

Lemon: uplifting and energizing

Lime:  cleansing and uplifting

Peppermint: concentration and focus

Lavender: calming and relaxing

Our Favorite Combinations of Essential Oils for PlayDough 

Lemon, Lime, and Wild Orange:  This blend is very uplifting, cleansing, and gives a natural energy boost.  We love the way this one smells.

Peppermint and Lemon:  These two essential oils smell well together and promote concentration and energy.  Let the kids play with this playdough blend before sitting down to do homework.

Lavender and Frankincense:  Two of my favorite essential oils to diffuse overnight.  Add this blend to your playdough and make it part of the wind-down routine before bed.

Cinnamon, ginger, wild orange:  This blend reminds me of the holiday season, and with its immune-boosting properties, it is perfect for little hands.

MAKE YOUR PLAY DOUGH COLOR MATCH THE SCENT 

Red: cinnamon essential oil

Orange: wild orange essential oil

Yellow: lemon essential oil

Green: lime essential oil

Blue: peppermint essential oil

Purple: lavender essential oilrolling homemade playdough into a ball

BENEFITS OF AROMATHERAPY 

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds extracted and distilled from plants for their many benefits.  Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses essential oils to promote health, well-being, and uplifting mood.

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS AROMATICALLY

  • DiffuseDiffusers disperse essential oil molecules into the air providing many benefits for you and your home.  Certain essential oils like wild orange, lemon, and clove can kill airborne germs keeping your home clean and germ-free.  Other oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, and lime can help open up airways and promote healthy breathing.  
  • Inhale– Open up a bottle of essential oil and inhale straight out of the bottle.  This is known as the “poor man’s way,” but it is very effective.  Just by breathing an essential oil can affect mood, memory, and concentration.
  • Play Dough– As your child plays with the play dough, they will reap the benefits of the essential oils aromatically.  The oil scent will be released as they squeeze and mold the play dough.
  • Hands–  Add 2-4 drops of essential oil to the palm of your hand, rub together, and cuff over the nose.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR AROMATHERAPY 

  1. Stress and anxious feelings- Lavender, frankincense, copaiba, wild orange, and roman chamomile
  2. Boost Energy- Wild orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, and peppermint
  3. Calm and relax- Lavender, frankincense, sandalwood, ylang ylang, and copaiba
  4. Promote healthy night sleep- Lavender, frankincense, vetiver, and cedarwood
  5. Immune support- Cinnamon, clove, wild orange, rosemary, eucalyptus, and frankincense
  6. Cleanse- Lemon, lime, melaleuca, and wild orange
  7. Aid in memory and focus- Peppermint, rosemary, frankincense, wild orange, and lavender
  8. Ground emotions- Ho wood, Frankincense, blue tansy, roman chamomile, and bergamot
  9. Uplift mood- Bergamot, tangerine, wild orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit
  10. Respiratory Support- Peppermint, eucalyptus, lime, and thyme

GLUTEN-FREE PLAYDOUGH RECIPE 

With gluten intolerances on the rise, I wanted to include a gluten-free option.  This playdough is softer than regular play dough, but the kids still enjoy playing with it.  If your child is allergic to gluten, try this recipe.

GLUTEN-FREE PLAYDOUGH INGREDIENTS 

GLUTEN-FREE PLAYDOUGH INSTRUCTIONS 

  1. Mix the baking soda and corn starch in a saucepan.
  2. Stir in water and food coloring if using.
  3. Heat the ingredients on low heat, stirring often until the dough starts to form and become more solid.
  4. Once the dough had reached the consistency of playdough and balls up around the spoon, remove from the heat.
  5. Allow the mixture to cool and then add essential oils of choice.  Knead the oils into the dough until well combined, and play dough is the consistency you like.
  6. Store in an airtight container or ziplock bags.

Have you ever wondered how to make playdough?  Did you add in essential oils?  If so, please share your favorite blends with me below!

CHECK OUT MY OTHER POST FOR KIDS  

How to Make Gummy Bears 

Natural Remedies for Kids 

Essential Oils for Babies 

SIMPLE HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH PRINTABLE 

5 from 1 vote

Aromatherapy PlayDough

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Easy playdough recipe with essential oils. Kids will get the benefits of aromatherapy when playing with this playdough. ย 
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp cream of tarter
  • 5-10 drops essential oil
  • food coloring, optional

Instructions 

  • Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar together in a saucepan.
  • Stir in water, vegetable oil, and if using food coloring, add that in too.
  • Heat the ingredients on low heat, stirring often until the dough forms into a ball.
  • Once the dough had reached the consistency of play dough, remove from the heat.
  • Allow the mixture to cool and then add essential oils of choice. Knead the oils into the dough until well combined.
  • Store in an airtight container or ziplock bags.

Notes

Our Favorites Essential Oils forย Play Doughย 
Wild Orange: immune support and cleansing
Lemon: uplifting and energizing
Lime: cleansing and uplifting
Peppermint: concentration and focus
Lavender: calming and relaxing
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!

 

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About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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1 Comment

  1. Emily Turpin says:

    Hi Laura ! Love your recipes ! I wanted to ask you if you knew any substitute for cream of tartare. I just canโ€™t find anyโ€ฆ Thank you soooo much !