As the days grow shorter and the summer sun fades, we begin to look for a little sparkle to brighten the days. When I’m looking for sparkle, I always turn to magic. Potion play has become a bit of a tradition around here as we move towards Halloween and get into the witchy vibes by mixing up potions. Children love the messy fun of potion play and it’s a great way to introduce early science concepts through imaginative play. Intentionally mixing ingredients together calls us to observe reactions, and transformation. Smells, textures, and colours change through playful processes of mixing, and adding materials together.
Today we kicked off our potion play with a big splash of colour. I set up an invitation to play using an old chemistry beaker and several tiny pots of cosmetic grade mica powder. We experimented with adding different mica colours to water and noticing the changes. Then we added mica to tempura paints to create opalescent paints. The effect was amazing!
As part of our yearly Halloween tradition we document our potion recipes in a book that I started as a child. We do 4 main potions reflecting the 4 elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Each potion is meant to connect us to that element. The potions are co -created with the children and change yearly as their interests and knowledge expands. I try to use ingredients that we have on hand and we forage all the herbs and flowers as part of the experience. I have included our current recipes below and hope it inspires you have a go at potion play.
Earth:
Compost Soup Potion (This one is an exploration into the helpful nature of micro organisms)
You will need:
1 large pumpkin
Grass clippings, flower petals, herb leaves and root matter
Water
Method:
Hollow out the pumpkin and use as a bowl
Into the pumpkin place plant matter
Cover with water
Let sit inside the pumpkin bowl, in a warm outdoor spot for 1 week. Stirring daily. Notice how the plant matter is breaking down and changing. When it is good and stinky pour onto the garden or lawn as a nourishing compost offering to plants.
Air:
Clear the Air Calm Down Potion
You will need:
Distilled water
Calming essential oils like, chamomile, lavender, clary sage or eucalyptus.
Glitter
Small glass spray bottle
Method:
Combine water, essential oils (look up water to oil ratio dependent on the size of your spray bottle), and a pinch of glitter.
When overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths of fresh air and use this calming face spray. Watch the glitter swirl for extra soothing.
We keep this spray in our “calm down basket” which has been an a valuable tool in learning about self regulation and moving through big emotions. See more on that in my blog post titled “Calm and Collected-Tools for Moving Through Big Emotions”
Fire:
Sage and Cedar blessing potion
Sage leaves and stems
Cedar chips or shavings
Red, orange or gold mica powder
Method:
Mix ingredients together in a bowl. Store in a special bottle and sprinkle on a camp fire for a beautiful cozy scent and sparkle.
Water:
Magnesium Bath Potion
2 Cups Magnesium Chloride Flakes
2 Cups Himalayan Salt
10 drops essential oil (we like lavender)
1 cup dried flower petals or herbs
1 handful small Amethyst crystals
Method:
Mix ingredients together in a large bowl and mix. Add 1 cup to bath for a relaxing, calming soak. If you’d like to make after bath clean up easier plave bath salts in a muslim bag or cheese cloth before adding to the bath to keep dried herbs and petals out.
We like to put our bath potion out under the full moon to capture some of those magical moon rays.
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