Long sunny days call for creative ways to unwind, refresh, and reconnect. With a little help from your favorite Plant Therapy essentials, we've got you covered. Whether you're planning a self-care spa day or keeping the kids entertained without screen time, these easy, natural DIYs make summer feel a little more magical.
Let’s dive in with three DIYs perfect for adults and teens, and three fun projects for little hands!
For You: Beauty & Body DIYs
Texturizing Salt Hair Spray – Beachy Herb Garden Edition
What you'll need:
- 1 oz Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel
- 1 oz Aloe Vera Gel
- 1 oz Lavender Hydrosol
- 2 tsp Pink Himalayan Salt
- ½ tbsp Jojoba Oil
- ½ tbsp Polysorbate 80 (to disperse the carrier oil)
- 1 tsp Vegetable Glycerin (adds moisture + helps emulsify)
- 10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- 4 drops Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil
- 4 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
What you'll do:
In a small bowl, dissolve the Pink Himalayan Salt into the Aloe Vera Gel, Lavender Hydrosol, and Witch Hazel. In a separate bowl, combine the Jojoba Oil, Polysorbate 80, Vegetable Glycerin, and essential oils, stirring until the mixture turns cloudy. Pour both mixtures into a 4 oz spray bottle, give it a good shake, and store in the fridge. Use within 1–2 weeks and shake well before each use. Spritz onto damp or dry hair for soft, beachy texture with a refreshing, herbaceous scent.
Why it works:
This alcohol-free spray delivers that tousled, seaside look without drying out your strands. Rosemary and Peppermint energize the scalp, while Aloe Vera, Glycerin, and Lavender Hydrosol keep hair soft and touchably hydrated. It’s like a summer breeze through an herb garden—bottled up and ready to go.
Golden Horizon Sugar Scrub – A Fresh Start in a Jar
What you’ll need:
- ½ cup White Sugar
- ¼ cup Solid Coconut Oil (slightly melted for easier mixing)
- 36 drops Golden Horizon (for approx. 1.5% dilution in 2 oz total)
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(Optional: 1 tsp Vitamin E oil or Fractionated Coconut Oil for extra skin-loving softness)
What you’ll do:
In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and coconut oil until fully incorporated. Adjust the ratio if you'd prefer a drier or smoother texture. Add Golden Horizon and stir until evenly blended. Scoop into a mason jar or airtight container, label it, and store in a cool, dry place. Use within 1–2 months.
Important: Avoid introducing water into the container to help prevent early spoilage. Use a clean, dry spoon or scoop, especially if storing this scrub in the bathroom or shower.
Why you’ll love it:
This isn’t just a scrub, it’s a reset button. Every scoop releases the sweet citrus burst of Blood Orange and Yuzu, grounded by warm, cozy Allspice and serene notes of Amyris and Frankincense. Perfect for morning showers, evening wind-downs, or anytime your day needs a little clarity and calm.
Soft Glow Shave Oil – Featuring Earth & Bloom
What you'll need:
- 1.3 oz Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO)
- 0.7 oz Sunflower Oil (or another nourishing carrier like Jojoba)
- 18 drops Earth & Bloom Essential Oil Blend (1% dilution for 2 oz total)
What you'll do:
In a small mixing bowl, combine your carrier oils. Add in the essential oil blend and stir gently to incorporate. Pour into a pump bottle or squeeze-top container for easy use in the shower.
To use: Apply to wet skin before shaving. The oil helps soften hair and protect skin, giving your razor a smooth glide while locking in moisture. To help prevent your razor from clogging, rinse it with a little soapy water or soak it in rubbing alcohol after shaving.
Why you’ll love it:
This is more than a shave, it’s a moment of calm. Earth & Bloom brings together delicate floral notes, grounding woods, and gentle green tones to create a scent that feels soft, balanced, and oh-so-nurturing. It turns an everyday routine into a little act of self-kindness.
For the Kids: Summer Fun!
Happy Place Playdough – A Calm, Creative Craft for Kids
What you'll need:
- 1 tbsp Avocado Carrier Oil (or any kid-safe carrier oil)
- 25 drops Happy Place Essential Oil Blend
- 1 cup water
- 5 drops natural food coloring (optional)
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup Pink Himalayan Salt
What you'll do:
In a large bowl, combine the carrier oil and Happy Place essential oil. Stir in the water and food coloring, if using. In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt, then slowly combine the wet and dry ingredients. Knead until smooth, adding a touch more flour if it feels sticky.
Helpful tips for storage & safety:
Since this recipe contains water, it's best to store the playdough in an airtight container in the refrigerator to help slow microbial growth. Use clean utensils and wash hands before and after play to keep the dough fresh. When stored properly and handled with care, it should last 1–2 weeks.
Why kids love it:
This soft, squishy playdough is a sensory dream; fun to play with and full of cozy, feel-good aroma. Happy Place includes calming favorites like Lavender, Geranium Bourbon, and Clary Sage, creating a peaceful vibe while kids play, mold, and create.
Endless Summer Slime – Sunshine You Can Squish
What you'll need:
- 4 oz school glue
- ½ tbsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp contact lens solution
- 2 tsp Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 6 drops Endless Summer Essential Oil Blend
- Yellow food coloring (optional but fun!)
What you'll do:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the Fractionated Coconut Oil and Endless Summer. Add the glue and food coloring, then stir in the baking soda. Slowly add the contact lens solution while stirring continuously. Once the slime starts to pull away from the sides, knead with your hands until it becomes smooth and stretchy. If it's still sticky, add a little more contact solution (½ tbsp at a time).
Keep it fresh:
Store slime in an airtight container and keep it out of heat or direct sunlight to help preserve the glue and essential oils. Always wash hands before and after playing to avoid introducing bacteria. With clean handling and proper storage, your slime should stay fresh and fun for 1–2 weeks.
Why kids love it:
With every squish, stretch, and swirl, Endless Summer fills the air with sunny citrus and sweet floral notes that feel like a golden afternoon. It’s the perfect way to keep the summer vibes going, rain or shine.
Scented Sidewalk Chalk – Customizable Creativity
What you'll need:
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp Baking Soda
- ¼ cup Water
- 5–10 drops of your favorite KidSafe essential oil
- Natural food coloring (optional)
- Silicone molds
- Small mixing bowls (optional, if making multiple colors/scents)
What you'll do:
In a bowl, mix together the cornstarch, baking soda, water, essential oil, and food coloring until smooth. For a rainbow of colors and scents, divide the base mixture into smaller bowls and customize each one before pouring into silicone molds.
Let the chalk sit undisturbed for 24 hours, then gently flip the molds to help them dry more evenly. Allow another 24 hours or until completely hardened. Once fully dry, pop out and enjoy!
Pro tips for longer-lasting chalk:
To prevent moisture buildup, store finished chalk in an open box or paper bag rather than an airtight container. This allows airflow and helps keep the chalk dry between uses.
Why it’s special:
Whether they choose zesty citrus, sweet florals, or calming lavender, kids can personalize their chalk to match their mood. It's creative, hands-on fun that turns outdoor time into a colorful sensory adventure.
These simple, summery recipes are a great way to spend quality time with your favorite people, whether you're sneaking in some self-care or sharing a creative afternoon with the kids. Each one brings a sensory experience to the season, combining the uplifting power of essential oils with a hands-on activity you’ll actually look forward to.
Let us know which one you're trying first!
