My daughter loved her play dough as a child. But, we had a couple of problems. Sometimes she forgot and left the lid off the play dough and returned to a rock solid mass. I also noticed she broke out in a rash whenever she used the play dough. While this was weird, I didn’t realize it was because she had Celiac and traditional play dough recipes use flour. I found the solution to our problems when I found a two ingredient play dough recipe. I could mix it in minutes! I got creative and added different food coloring and different essential oils to make this easy Aromatherapy play dough recipe.
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How to make Aromatherapy Play Dough:
This recipe is wonderful because it uses common household ingredients and only has four ingredients. Even better, it is a no cook play dough recipe and has a prep time of around ten minutes. Can you believe the base of this play dough recipe is corn starch and conditioner? That’s right, conditioner. You can purchase a cheap bottle of both cornstarch and conditioner at the dollar store. You’ll also need food coloring (use food paste gel for richer, more vibrant colors) and essential oils. I like to use Lemon 
To make the play dough, mix the cornstarch and water together until the mixture makes a dough. You don’t want it to be sticky! If it is, add a little more cornstarch. Once the dough is blended, you can divide it in half. Knead food coloring into the dough and then knead in the essential oil. You’ll want to store the dough in airtight containers once it’s finished. This play dough can not be eaten, so be sure kids don’t put it in their mouths.
Printable Recipe:
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 3/4 to 1 cup conditioner (begin with 3/4 cup and add more as need to make a dough)
- food coloring, your choice of colors, 3 to 4 drops
- Lemon OR Lime OR Lavender Essential oil (5 to 10 drops)
- Mix cornstarch and conditioner together until mixture forms a soft dough, but is not sticky. Divide dough in half. Knead 3-4 drops of food coloring into each mixture until dough is desired color. Add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil to each mixture and knead until blended. Store in an airtight container and make sure children do not eat the mixture.
I think this is my favorite gluten free play dough recipe. Smells so good, is no cook, and has a short prep time. What’s not to love? (Ok, play dough is a little sticky, but otherwise….) What is your child’s favorite activity?
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When you add aromatherapy into the mix I like play dough a lot more than I did before. My little would love this.
I still love playing with play dough. I really like that this recipe is not only easy to make at home with the kids but that you also included essential oils adding aromatherapy to it.
We’ve got another rainy weekend ahead of us. Having fun for the kids indoors is going to be a must. This looks perfect!
I love this idea. I will have to make this when my four year old gets a little older because I catch him eating it. I bet it smells amazing!
This is a great idea. Play-Doh in and of itself smells awful. It would be great to have some that actually has a soothing scent to it around the house.
Another fun way to use essential oils! Wow this will definitely take playing with playdough up a notch but I know some people like that playdough smell.
My kids love playing with play dough. I love the idea of adding scented oils, you could have fun trying other combinations of oils. I could see adding orange or maybe a drop of peppermint too.
Aromatherapy while playing? YES PLEASE! I feel like this is beneficial not just for the kids, but also for the exhausted parents who need some relaxation among parenting chaos!
This looks like a lot of fun for the kids!
I like the array of colors also.
this seems like such a wonderful recipe! So much better than the playdoh that is store bought- I can’t wait to make this with my kiddos! And what a lovely scent!
Even with being gluten intolerant, I had no idea that Play Dough had gluten in it! Thanks for sharing this recipe for those with kiddos that suffer from such diseases and intolerances.
We’ve made our own play dough before, but I’ve never considered scenting it before. What a fun twist!
This is so creative. I don’t like the smell of play dough, so your idea is so amazing!!
that’s interesting! never thought of having essential oils to it. sounds fun
We loved making play doh when the kids were little. I would never have thought to add the essential oils. I love that idea!
This will keep the kids entertained. I remember play dough from when I was a youth…and tried to eat it 😀
My mom used to make something like this for her students, and I loved it! I love the smell of homemade play dough to begin with, but this just takes it to a new level!
As someone who can not stand the smell of store bought play dough, a homemade version like this is extremely appreciated. You can’t beat sensory play that awakens multiple senses!
What a great idea… smelling good instead of smelling like rubber or plastic like some toy, markers and other kid things do. Wish I would have thought of this when our kids were young, especially for the daughter who gets migraines, I would have had her play with peppermint scented play dough.
This DIY play dough would be great for sensory play. My grandchildren would have hours of fun making their own “creations.” I would just have to keep an eye on them though, that they do not put it in their mouth.
This is such a nice idea and it’s so easy. You could plan tons of different activities using this play dough.
I love LOVE aromatherapy and never thought of putting it in something like Play Doh! What a great idea! I would love to experiment with different scents too. This is such an easy recipe. THank you so much for sharing this!
That’s crazy, I had no idea playdough could cause that. I’ve always been sensitive myself and often have to avoid playing with with my niece due to allergies. Never thought it could be this!
Aromatherapist play dough! This is amazing! Am the fact that you can make it yourself and use food colouring! So so cool! I can see myself making really funky play dough and styles.
Will try your play dough recipe. Love using lavender smells so good
I love this idea! The kids get a great, healthy way to play, and the grownups get a lovely scent in the air.
How cool! I’ve never heard of aromatherapy play dough before. I think it’s a great way for the kids to play and make everything smell wonderful.
Ohh I like this idea! Play Dough that smells awesome! I think you should market this stuff!! 🙂 I will be making some with my kiddo soon!
Play Dough that actually smells good – yes! I love the colors and the addition of essential oils. I really love that it’s all natural. I need to whip some of this up ASAP. My grandkids will love it. Pinning!