It’s that time of year your kids have been looking forward to...summer! A season of laid-back days, carefree nights, and (their favorite part) no homework. While being out of school is every kid’s dream, it can leave parents wondering how to keep those little hands busy. Using some of your favorite essential oils, you don’t have to look far to keep your children entertained with these simple DIYs.
Aromatherapy Play Dough
Play dough can encourage creativity and keep kids busy for hours. Let them help whip up their own from the basics in your kitchen. With the addition of essential oils, play dough becomes more engaging, and gives you an opportunity to begin teaching your kids about their benefits.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups colored water
- 1 cup salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 5 drops essential oil of your choosing
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients, except for the essential oils, in a large saucepan and stir until combined.
- Once combined, put over medium heat. Using a spatula, continue to stir the ingredients together until it forms a ball. Note: Do not overcook as it will lead to dry play dough.
- Remove from heat and cool on parchment paper.
- Once cool, add five drops of your favorite essential oil and knead until thoroughly combined.
You’re done! Easy. Just store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for months of fun.
Toilet Bomb
This DIY turns chores into fun! While the kids are entertained by the blast of fizzing bubbles, you can be happy knowing that your toilet is also getting cleaned and deodorized.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup citric acid
- ½ cup borax or cornstarch
- Spray bottle, filled with water
- 1 gallon-size Ziplock bag
- 25 drops essential oils
- A mold (a plastic measuring cup, or silicone muffin pan work well)
Instructions:
- Place dry ingredients into the gallon bag, seal and knead to combine ingredients.
- Open the bag, spray two to three times with water, and reseal the bag. Knead the ingredients in the bag until all the moisture is absorbed.
- Repeat Step 2 until you can squeeze ingredients in the bag, and the mixture stays clumped together when you let go. It should, roughly speaking, be the consistency of pie dough.
Note: If your bag expands and looks like it may burst, let the air out. This is natural, as the combined acid and alkali form carbon dioxide. - Add 25 drops of essential oil of your choice and mix again.
- When it’s the right consistency, pack into your selected molds.
Tips: If you’re using a measuring cup, pack the mixture into the cup and turn the toilet bombs out onto a sheet of parchment paper to dry. - Leave the toilet bombs to dry for one to two days, and then unmold. The toilet bomb will be fragile at first but will continue to harden.
- Store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid until ready to use.
To Use: Drop one of the bombs into the toilet, the ingredients will be released into the bowl, both deodorizing and cleaning. Flush, and you’re done! (Some nastier stains may require a little scrubbing.)
Cinnamon Peanut Butter and Granola Sandwich
As a healthier alternative to the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, this little snack is sure to keep the kids full until dinner!
Ingredients:
- 1–2 apples
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ½ cup granola
- 1 drop Cinnamon Bark oil
Instructions:
- Core the apples and slice horizontally for sandwich pieces.
- In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, granola, and essential oil.
- Place the mixture between two apple slices or use as dip.
Tip: If you aren’t going to serve the sandwich immediately, soak the apple slices in water, along with a few drops of Lemon oil, to help keep the apples looking fresh.
