Lavender is believed to have therapeutic properties, often helping people to feel calm and relaxed. Today, I tried adding lavender as I was making water beads, and the results were beyond my expectations. Read on to see how you can make calming water beads at home.
What are Water Beads?
Water beads are tiny polymers that grow when soaked in water. They typically come in dehydrated packages. As they soak they fill and expand, transforming into squishy, water-filled marbles.
Playing with water beads is therapeutic in itself, even without any added benefit from lavender. Don't believe me? Just give these gems a try!
How to Make Lavender Water Beads
Materials
These lavender pearls have been great for play just before bed-time, for use during time-out, and for anytime my girls simply need to calm down and refocus.
Extend the Fun
- Lavender essential oil
- Water Beads
- Water
- A play bin or container
Method
- Begin by adding the desired amount of water beads to a large bowl or container.
- You can use any color of water beads or even multi-colored beads. We used purple to go along with the lavender theme.
- Add 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil. Then, fill the container will enough water so that the beads are fully submerged.
- Check on the beads often, adding more water as needed, ensuring that the beads stay submerged.
- That's it! In roughly 4-6 hours your water beads will be fully expanded and ready for play!
Lavender Water Bead Play
Pour lavender water beads into a play bin or container. Add diggers and toys, and kids are sure to find all sorts of ways to play!
Extend the Fun
- Paint with water beads.
- Make water beads that GLOW!
- Freeze water beads.
- Make taste-safe water beads.
- Calm kids down with lavender cloud dough.
Tips & Storage:
- Store water beads in a air-tight container between play times, and they can be used for up to one week.
- Water beads can be purchased in the floral section of most craft stores or online here.
- The lavender essential oil that we used for this activity can be purchased on Amazon here.
- We began with just the water beads in our bin, but after a bit of exploration we added water, and that created a whole new play time! Be sure to give it a try!
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