Who doesn't love roses and chocolate on Valentine's Day?

Here is a fun, crafty way to share these two Valentine Day favorites with the kids in your life.

Rose Play Dough

Ingredients ~

1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of salt
1 cup of water (can substitute rose tea or rose-water if desired)
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp oil
about a 1/4 cup dried rose petals crushed a bit
about a 1/4 cup beet powder or powdered roses
5 to 10 drops of rose geranium essential oil (how many drops depends on your nose!)

Instructions ~ Combine dry ingredients in a sauce pan. Add the water and oil. Stir together and heat slowly over low heat. Stir almost constantly until the play dough sets up. Let it cool to warm before playing, play dough right off the stove is hot.

Chocolate Play Dough

Ingredients ~

1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of salt
1 cup of water (can substitute rose tea or rose-water if desired)
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder, add more if needed
2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
5 to 6 drops any combination of cocoa absolute and sweet orange essential oils, if desired.
Splash of vanilla extract

Instructions ~ Follow the instructions above for making rose play dough.

Double, triple or quadruple these recipes if making play dough for a large group.

Fun Ways To Use Valentine's Day Play Dough ~

Make little "treats" for your child to hand out at school. Wrap a small ball (or make into little hearts) of each kind of play dough in a plastic bag, tie with a lovely ribbon and add a little heart-felt note to complete the Valentine. Makes a wonderful substitute for the sugary candy treats normally handed out this time of year.
Take a nice big batch of each play dough into your child's school or to a playdate and let the kids enjoy. Supply baby rose buds, cinnamon sticks, glitter and heart cookie cutters to enhance play.
Give a batch to your little one on Valentine's Day, makes a great present.