Lavender Scented Playdough Recipe (DIY Sensory Playdough)

This lavender scented playdough recipe is calming, and helps your little ones learn about flowers and herbs through exploration and creative, open-ended play.

I’ve got to be honest – In the few short months that playdough has been a part of my everyday life, I’ve really come to hate it. The screaming while I try to pry it out of the little yellow container, the neon colors stuck under my nails… The mess! Ugh, the mess…

That being said, my toddler adores his playdough, and so it stays.

I’ve been wanting to make our own at home for a while now. It’s cheaper, and I like knowing exactly what’s in the goop my son spends hours playing with.

There are so many playdough recipes online that it made my head spin. The first batch I made required cooking on the stove, and it didn’t turn out great.

This recipe was perfect, though! I won’t lie to you – the playdough base is practically the same recipe as every other “no cook” DIY playdough out there. I mean, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

So while I can’t claim the base recipe as my own (or credit the original creator for that matter), I managed to put my own spin on it, and I thought I’d share it with you!

Lavender Scented Playdough Recipe

Ingredients For Homemade Lavender Scented Playdough:

• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 cup Salt
• 2.5 tbsp Cream of Tartar
• 1 tbsp Vegetable Glycerin
• 1/3 cup Dried Lavender Petals
• 1 – 2 cups Water
• Optional: 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil

How To Make DIY Lavender Scented Playdough:

1. Add Dry Ingredients To A Large Mixing Bowl

Add flour, salt, and cream of tartar to a large mixing bowl and stir!

2. Add The Oil

Add the oil to the bowl and mix.

3. Boil Water, Then Add It To The Bowl

Measure out your 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and slowly add it bit by bit, stirring vigorously.

4. Add The Vegetable Glycerin

Add the vegetable glycerin and stir to combine.

5. Knead Vigorously

Once cooled, take the dough out and knead to create your playdough. Add more flour until you get the consistency you want.

6. Add The Dried Lavender Petals and Essential Oils (If You’re Using EO)

The best way to do this is to flatten the dough out, sprinkle the petals and oil evenly, then fold and knead until fully combined.

And there you have it! Your lavender scented playdough is done!

Your kids will love the calming aroma and the feel of real lavender petals. I love letting my toddler play with this on days where he’s high-strung or overwhelmed. I’m all about providing him with opportunities to explore using all of his senses, and this certainly does the trick!

Besides the fact that this playdough recipe is calming and smells much better than the store-bought kind, it’s a great first step into teaching your kids about different herbs and flowers.

You can add food coloring if you like, but I left ours in its natural color. It’s one less ingredient to worry about, and it draws attention to the lavender petals. Just a few drops is all it would take.

Perhaps the best part about this recipe is that it will last up to 6 months in the fridge in an airtight container. That’s many hours of natural, sensory play fun!

If you make your own lavender scented playdough, I would love to see! Tag me in a picture on Instagram, or “try” my pin on Pinterest. If you have any questions or comments, leave a comment below. 

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