SMELL

Mix a child-friendly perfume

• Collect the following items to make your own water-based perfume.  Choose your own garden flowers if possible that are pesticide-free.

1 1/2 cups of flower petals

(think about fragrances you like - rose, lilacs, orange blossoms, etc.) 

2 cups distilled water

Cheesecloth 

Bowl

• Drape a piece of cheesecloth over an empty bowl with edges of the cloth over the edge of the bowl
• Encourage the child to pick petals off of the flowers
• Place the flower petals on top of the cheesecloth
• Pour 2 cups of distilled water over the petals 
• Push petals and cheesecloth into the bowl until all of the flower petals are submerged
• Cover the bowl with a lid 
• The submerged flower petals need to sit for 24 hours
• Remove the cheesecloth with flowers inside and wring out the flowers and cheesecloth into a small pan and place on the stove
• Bring this small amount of water to a simmer until only 1 or 2 teaspoons of water remain
• Place this perfumed water into a bottle for you or child to use as perfume
• Create a name for the perfume and make a label for the bottle with the name
• Keep in dark cupboard/drawer or use a brown or blue bottle
• The fragrance should last about a month

*This makes a great homemade gift!