Kelly, from Gravesend, created a perfume making station. Let’s take a look at it…
What did you do?
Perfume making
Exploring the sense of smell as well as colours and textures.
I have been saving up handwash bottles and other fancy looking bottles for some time now in preparation for activities such as this as well as things like potion making etc.
I picked some lavender and some honetsuckle from the garden and in them I added scented spray/essential oils (This is an age appropriate optional add and should to be supervised).
Other bottles and tubs included mint, berries, citrus, peach, thyme and basically anything that had a nice aroma to them. Many herbal teas are great for this kind of thing!
I included Lola in some of the preparation for this activity by squeezing the lemons and limes, and adding in the water and food colouring.
I added accessories such as, mini water butt, funnels, bottles, syringes (turkey baster/eye drop applicator) and cocktail mixer.
Setting up this kind of activity is always a gamble. I often find the more effort that goes into an activity the less likely my 2 year old will engage (I say it often enough, keep it simple!). But this activity kept her amused for a good few days and what I loved most was the emerging words and sentences / discussion we got out of it. She is just entering that phase of broadening her vocabulary, it’s a wonder to behold!
The downside to this activity is the prep and clean up, we did this on the very hot days and so the ingredients as such didn’t last long in hindsight I would have kept them in the fridge for longevity as I believe in giving Lola time to explore activities I’ve introduced in her own time without me interfering.
Do you have any other projects planned?
I have many, I am down to working one day a week during Lockdown therefore I am trying to keep my only child entertained.
I am looking forward to making a toilet roll turtle which Lola can fill with green coloured rice and chickpeas!
Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…
I am mum to my daughter Lola who is 2 years old. I’ve worked in primary education since 2004 and recently graduated with a first in Childhood studies. I went down to one day a week teaching once I had Lola and I took on a few days a week running baby and toddler classes for Hartbeeps. My classes have had to cease running in this uncertain time, so I am doing what I know and love to keep me sane!
@babytoddlerchildrenactivities
How are you finding being housebound so far?
The hardest part for me has been seeing Lola not have any other children to interact with. They learn and develop so much from each other and it broke my heart watching her watch kids playing out in the street through the window!
Do you have any tips for other parents?
Do whatever works for you! Put mum guilt in the trash where it belongs, during these uncertain times of worry, financial burdens, work pressures, home schooling is see too many parent’s being hard on themselves. All we can do is our best! Find your online village!
Has this website and community helped you?
It has such a wonderful bank of ideas to do with the kids! Which is especially helpful on rainy days!
