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Homemade Aromatherapy Playdough: A Soothing DIY Guide

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Discover the Joy of Homemade Aromatherapy Playdough

If you’re looking for a delightful way to unwind, consider making your own aromatherapy playdough. As you manipulate this soothing dough, the enchanting scents of essential oils are released, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. It’s perfect for use before bedtime or during moments of stress and anxiety. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to create, requiring just a few minutes and common kitchen ingredients. This playdough results in a soft, pliable texture with vibrant colors that won’t stain your hands. The aroma, however, is the true highlight. Below, you’ll find recipes for over 15 unique essential oil blends to tailor the scent of your aromatherapy playdough. Additionally, you can explore information on 20+ calming essential oils that may inspire you to craft even more relaxing variations. This playdough also makes an excellent gift! Combine it with other DIY relaxation items for a thoughtful homemade present that’s sure to be cherished. Consider pairing it with DIY aromatherapy stress balls, homemade bath bombs, calming magnesium body butter, relaxing peppermint foot cream, bubbling bath salts, roller bottles with free printable labels, homemade shower steamers, “sweet dreams” pillow sleep spray, floral bath salts, calming lavender vanilla bubble bath, relaxation rub, or natural headache relief balm.

Ingredients Needed for Homemade Calming Playdough

This post includes affiliate links. If you click on certain links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

The basic recipe for homemade playdough consists of five main ingredients: flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, and oil. You can also incorporate food coloring and essential oils to create a personalized aromatherapy playdough. (Refer to the full recipe and instructions below, along with a free printable recipe and playdough jar label at the end of this post).

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup salt
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Food coloring (optional) – I recommend this brand as it requires only a few drops to achieve vibrant colors without staining your hands.
  • 10-20 drops essential oil (see below for a list of the most calming essential oils to alleviate stress and anxiety, plus ideas for creating your own relaxing blends)

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Aromatherapy Playdough

Step 1: In a saucepan or skillet, combine 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of salt, and 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar.

Tip: The salt helps bond the flour with the water (which will be added later), providing texture and structure to the dough. It also acts as a natural preservative, preventing mold growth. When stored in an airtight container, this dough can last for over three months.

Tip: Cream of tartar serves as a stabilizer, enhancing the dough’s consistency and texture.

Step 2: Add 1 cup of water to the mixture.

Step 3: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of oil. Next, turn your stovetop burner to low heat and stir the mixture thoroughly.

Tip: Various liquid oils work well, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, or fractionated coconut oil. The oil acts as a lubricant, making the playdough soft and pliable.

Tip: At this stage, the mixture may appear lumpy. Don’t worry; the lumps will dissolve as the dough heats and thickens in subsequent steps.

Step 4 (optional): Before the dough thickens too much, add a few drops of food coloring and mix well.

Tip: Start with a few drops of food coloring; you can always add more. Depending on your food coloring brand, achieving vibrant colors might require anywhere from a few drops to 20.

Step 5: Once the food coloring is blended in, increase the heat slightly to medium-low.

Stir constantly, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan as you go. The dough will start to thicken. Keep stirring and scraping the bottom until the mixture thickens completely, which can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Once the dough pulls away from the pan and is no longer wet, remove it from the heat.

Step 6: Transfer the dough onto a piece of waxed paper to cool for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, knead the dough in your hands for a minute or so until it becomes elastic and smooth.

Step 7: Add 10-20 drops of essential oil and knead the dough to incorporate the oils evenly.

Tip: Use the list below for the best calming essential oils to alleviate stress and anxiety. To facilitate mixing, poke a few holes in the dough and add the essential oil directly into them.

Step 8: Store the aromatherapy playdough in an airtight container.

Tip: Opt for glass, stainless steel, or specific types of plastic (like PET plastic #1 or HDPE plastic #2). Ensure the lid seals tightly to keep the playdough fresh and prevent it from drying out.

Tip: If your playdough dries out, simply knead in a few drops of water to restore its softness. If the scent fades over time, you can reintroduce essential oils to rejuvenate its aroma and therapeutic properties.

Step 9 (optional): For an extra special touch, use a cookie stamp to imprint a fun message onto your aromatherapy playdough.

Step 10 (optional): Enhance your container with a whimsical label.

Tip: Access your free printable labels here, featuring seven designs: sunshine, spa, walk in the woods, citrus, ocean, lavender, and Christmas. You can print them on full-sheet label paper or regular printer paper (and attach with a glue stick).

Calming Aromatherapy Playdough Recipe Recap

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup salt
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • 10-20 drops essential oil (see below for the best calming essential oils for reducing stress and anxiety, plus ideas for creating your own relaxing blends)

Step 1: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of flour, 1/3 cup of salt, and 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar.
Step 2: Add 1 cup of water.
Step 3: Stir in 1 tablespoon of oil, then heat on low.
Step 4 (optional): Add food coloring and combine well.
Step 5: Increase heat to medium-low and stir until thickened.
Step 6: Cool the dough on waxed paper and knead until smooth.
Step 7: Incorporate 10-20 drops of essential oil and knead to mix evenly.
Step 8: Store in an airtight container.
Step 9 (optional): Use a cookie stamp for a fun message.
Step 10 (optional): Add a fun label to your container. Get your free printable labels here.

This recipe yields one large ball of playdough, enough to fill a 16 oz mason jar. To create multiple colors, simply repeat the recipe for as many colors as you desire.

Best Calming Essential Oils for Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Bergamot: A floral citrus aroma that uplifts and calms, depending on your needs. It’s known for alleviating anxious feelings.
Cedarwood: Promotes restful sleep with its warm, woody scent that calms the mind.
Clary Sage: A natural sedative that instills serenity and peace, aiding sleep.
Coriander: Rich in linalool, this oil effectively calms stress and sleep issues.
Fir: The crisp evergreen aroma is comforting and uplifting.
Frankincense: A warm, spicy aroma promoting feelings of peace and mood balance.
Geranium: Known for easing anxious feelings and balancing emotions.
Lavender: The quintessential calming oil, renowned for relaxing the mind and improving sleep quality.
Lemon: Bright and cheerful, it eases anxiety and boosts mood.
Marjoram: A warm aroma that helps release emotional stress.
Neroli: A spicy citrus scent that induces calm.
Orange: A sweet scent that adapts to your body’s needs for energy or calm.
Patchouli: Grounding and balancing, it has a musky scent.
Roman Chamomile: Sweet and floral, it’s excellent for sleep and relaxation.
Sandalwood: Rich and woody, it promotes emotional well-being and relaxation.
Spruce: Warms the mind and creates a comforting atmosphere.
Tangerine: Sweet and fresh, it uplifts spirits and alleviates stress.
Vetiver: A rich, exotic aroma with grounding properties, ideal for deep sleep.
Valerian: While its scent is not pleasant, it offers strong sedative properties.
Ylang Ylang: A floral scent with calming, sedative effects.

Essential Oil Blend Ideas for Your Calming Aromatherapy Playdough

You can use any of the essential oils mentioned above as single oils or combine them to create unique relaxing blends. Here are several calming essential oil recipes to inspire your playdough creations:

Citrus Blends

  • Citrus #1: 5 drops orange + 5 drops lime + 5 drops tangerine
  • Citrus #2: 3 drops fir + 3 drops grapefruit + 3 drops orange + 3 drops lemon + 3 drops tangerine + 3 drops bergamot
  • Citrus #3: 5 drops lavender + 5 drops lime + 5 drops mandarin

Ocean Blends

  • Ocean #1: 6 drops lavender + 5 drops lime + 4 drops spearmint
  • Ocean #2: 5 drops lavender + 5 drops bergamot + 3 drops eucalyptus + 2 drops rosemary + 2 drops spearmint
  • Ocean #3: 4 drops cedarwood + 4 drops orange + 4 drops lavender + 2 drops spearmint + 2 drops frankincense

Spa Blends

  • Spa #1: 4 drops lavender + 4 drops orange + 4 drops frankincense + 4 drops cedarwood
  • Spa #2: 8 drops spearmint + 8 drops eucalyptus
  • Spa #3: 3 drops peppermint + 3 drops rosemary + 2 drops lavender + 2 drops bergamot + 2 drops orange + 2 drops ylang ylang

Lavender Blends

  • Lavender #1: 15-20 drops of lavender essential oil
  • Lavender #2: 6 drops lavender + 8 drops orange + 3 drops ylang ylang
  • Lavender #3: 8 drops lavender + 4 drops lime + 4 drops mandarin

Sunshine Blends

  • Sunshine #1: 8 drops orange + 8 drops vanilla oleoresin
  • Sunshine #2: 5 drops bergamot + 4 drops orange + 3 drops lemon + 3 drops grapefruit
  • Sunshine #3: 7 drops tangerine + 7 drops lemon + 3 drops peppermint

Walk in the Woods Blends

  • Walk in the Woods #1: 5 drops spruce + 4 drops cedarwood + 3 drops juniper berry + 3 drops fir
  • Walk in the Woods #2: 5 drops cypress + 5 drops frankincense + 5 drops ylang ylang
  • Walk in the Woods #3: 4 drops fir + 4 drops cedarwood + 4 drops cypress + 4 drops orange + 2 drops frankincense

Christmas Blends

  • Christmas #1: 10 drops orange + 2 drops cinnamon + 4 drops spruce
  • Christmas #2: 7 drops fir + 5 drops grapefruit + 5 drops frankincense
  • Christmas #3: Use 10-15 drops of a pre-made Christmas essential oil blend

Using Your Aromatherapy Playdough

  • Find a comfortable and peaceful spot.
  • Consider playing calming music to enhance the atmosphere.
  • Pinch off a piece of playdough and roll it in your hands.
  • Hold the dough a few inches from your nose, inhaling deeply to experience the scents.
  • Engage with the dough by forming it into various shapes or structures, allowing your creativity to flow.
  • As you play, visualize a serene scene or environment that brings you peace, such as a beach or a blooming lavender field.
  • When finished, return the playdough to its airtight container to keep it fresh and soft for future use.
  • Tip: If the playdough dries out, simply add a little water and knead to restore its texture.
  • Tip: If the scent diminishes over time, add more essential oils to rejuvenate its fragrance and therapeutic qualities.

Where to Find Your Supplies

This post includes affiliate links. If you click on certain links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

  • Most ingredients for this calming playdough recipe can be found in your kitchen: flour, water, salt, and oil.
  • Cream of tartar can be located in the spice or baking aisle of grocery stores or purchased online here.
  • Vanilla oleoresin can be found online here.
  • Food coloring (optional) is available in the baking aisle of grocery stores or craft stores, or you can find the exact kind I used online here.
  • A cookie stamp (optional) for adding cute messages to your playdough gifts can be found at some baking and craft stores. Here’s a similar one you can get online.
  • Store your playdough in airtight containers such as glass, stainless steel, or specific types of plastic (like PET plastic #1 or HDPE plastic #2). Ensure the lid seals tightly to maintain the dough’s freshness. I recommend 16 oz wide mouth mason jars (like these), which can be found at Walmart, Target, hardware stores, and grocery stores or purchased online here.
  • Free printable labels and recipe: Click here to access yours.

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Please note: The products mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information on this page is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This website is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your medical doctor regarding your healthcare. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it due to something you have read here.

Disclaimer: This website contains affiliate links. If you click on certain links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. The price is the same for you whether or not you use the affiliate link.

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