Play | Lavender play dough
- Rolling into small balls – the act of rolling the dough is very calming
- Flattening the dough and sticking in natural, found objects – a textural way to create something special
- Pushing, squeezing and molding the dough – releasing lots of beautiful, calming lavender scent
- Pulling the dough into lots of different sized shapes – counting the shapes helps kids wind down
Like all no-cook play doughs, making up a batch of this dough is simple and fast. You’ll be surprised how relaxed you feel after you knead this sweet-smelling dough ready for play – and ain’t that the curse of children and sleep? This play dough will make you as drowsy as a sleep-deprived mother, but the kids will be wide awake playing for hours…
What you need
- 1 cup of flour
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 2 Tbs of cream of tartar
- 6 stems of lavender (optional)
- 1 tbs of oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of lavender oil
- 3/4 cup of boiling water
- Purple food colouring (optional)
What you do
1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together. Add the small petals and leaves of the lavender flower if using.
2. Mix in the oil and then slowly add the boiling water, mixing as you go. You might not need all of the water.
3. Add a couple of drops of food colouring (two purple or one red and one blue if using separate colours).
4. Once it has been fully mixed together, remove from the bowl and gently knead on a flat surface until smooth and pliable. You will feel an elasticity in the kneading when the play dough is ready.
5. Set up a play space and give your child a few tools and natural objects to inspire their quiet pre-bedtime play. The lavender aroma will infuse their play, helping them wind down and (hopefully) become a little sleepier.
What do your kids get up to between dinner and bedtime?
(This craft originally appeared on Kidspot)
The post Play | Lavender play dough appeared first on Heartfelt living.
