Easy! Calming Lavender Salt Tray Writing Activity
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Salt trays are fantastic for writing practice – kids love the sensory aspect and it’s such a fantastic way to learn. By adding in lavender essential oils, it adds an extra bit of fun and helps to calm as well. Read on below to see how we created this calming lavender salt tray writing activity.
What You’ll Need
- Salt
- Purple food coloring
- Lavender essential oil
- Plastic bag
- Tray
Related: Calming lavender playdough
What to Do
Begin by pouring about 1/2 cup salt into a plastic bag, one drop of food coloring, and two drops of essential oil. Seal your plastic bag and squish until everything has been mixed well.
After you’ve completed your salt tray (more instructions below), for even more ideas, you may enjoy this post from a fellow blogger on how to teach spelling to a 5 year old.
Related: Lavender scented slime recipe
Next, pour your lavender-scented salt onto a tray. You can allow it to dry for a bit (about 15-30 minutes) or you can begin working with it right away. We noticed our fingers turned a tiny bit purple because we used ours right away but the coloring washed right off afterward.
Encourage your child to practice writing shapes, letters, or even words in the tray. This lavender salt tray writing activity can be adapted to many different ages and skill levels.
Related: Fall leaf themed salt tray for letter practice
You could even practice math or spelling with the salt tray. You might even notice your child is more eager to practice those skills if it involves using a salt tray.
Related: Shiller Math and Language Arts Curriculum Review
Does this activity sound like something you’d like to try? If so, please share it on social media. Or, pin it to save for later.
Looking for more simple + fun educational activities? Be sure to check out our other fun ideas:
If you love lavender, you’ll love our lavender playdough recipe. Check it out here.
You may also enjoy making lavender slime. The kids had a blast with this one as well. Check that out here.
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allison
Wednesday 15th of May 2019
I absolutely love this idea! But I never thought about incorporating it in my lessons or preschool classroom. I use lavender all the time at home though. Can I ask, does the lavender oil really provide the same calming benefits for younger children and do you think it should be done more one on one or would it be successful in a classroom setting? Thanks for this post! <3 Allison
The Art Kit
Wednesday 15th of May 2019
I think the lavender oil definitely provides the same calming benefits for younger children as well! This would be fun one on one or in a classroom - it would certainly make the room smell amazing too! :)