Setting Up The Ultimate Bush Potion Play Table
Potion Play is, by far, the most requested activity for WildPlay Co Birthday Parties and is ALWAYS a hit in our regular, term programs. The activity is one that transcends age - we’ve had Bush Potion Play Parties for 4 year olds and for 9 year old’s and they are equally as creative and magical. While not something you usually associate with nature, there are so many ways you can weave in opportunities for kids to connect with the natural world with this activity.
Over time, we’ve perfected our setup with tried-and-true tips and must-have ingredients that make the experience truly magical. Keep reading to discover how to create the ultimate bush potion play table, just like we do at WildPlay Co!
Setting Up The Potion Table
The Surface
Nothing beats a nice long trestle table for potion play. There is just something magical about all the ingredients laid out in a big long line. Plus, they’re easy to reach from both sides of the table! We do also use a DIY wooden pallet table which is more square in its design, and this works particularly well for little ones as it’s the perfect height. Don’t forget to cover your table with a table cloth (something that you don’t mind getting stained!). We get most of ours at local op shops where we have also snapped up some pretty table cloths that add an extra special touch.
Containers
The most sustainable way to source your potion play vessels is to use what you already have or to scour local tip recovery centres and op shops. This is where WildPlay Co find all of our neat little stainless steel and wooden potion play containers. Depending on the age group, we may use glass bottles and vials as they look fantastic but are not a deal-breaker. Another lovely natural option is to use coconut shell bowls which are now readily available.
TIP: Vessels on the smaller side are ideal as kids will need less fizzy mix to make their potion bubble and it will therefore last longer!
Mixing Tools
Ok, here is where we can start to have some fun. A morter and pestle is a MUST for crushing leaves and herbs while sticks and branches make perfect mixing utensils. Little droppers or large turkey basters are also lots of fun and a great way to promote fine motor skills in young kids. Source your tea spoons from op shops or your Grandma who, if was anything like mine, had a tonne of those little silver souvineer spoons from all of the towns they visited! Spray bottles and sauce bottles/small squeezy bottles are great options for dispensing the liquid component of your potions (which we will go into detail about below).
Gathering Natural Ingredients
Of course the fizzy mix is the hero of potion play BUT bush potion play can be made extra special with natures loose parts and natural elements on the potion play table. Think dried and fresh flowers, pinecones, herbs from your garden or leftover from the fridge, shells, seeds, pebbles and bark. Remember to consider your environmental footprint and to only take what you need.
The Fizzy Potion
The HERO of potion play! For the FIZZIEST and BUBBLIEST potions, here’s what we recommend. And guess what? This fizzy mix activates with water. Yep, you heard correctly, water. No vinegar required!
Combine 1 part citric acid to 4 parts bi carb soda. Add water, sit back and watch the FIZZ!
TIP: Citric acid can often be bought in bulk in the laundry section of supermarkets and retail stores as it is often used to make DIY environmentally friendly household cleaners. Bi Carb soda is also used as a swimming pool buffer and can be bought in bulk from pool supply stockists.
Extra Special Additions
We love making our Bush Potion Play parties extra magical so we like to add some extra special ingredients. The first is COLOUR and instead of using food dyes, we like to colour either our water or our fizzy mix with eco paint powders which are 100% plant-based, food grade, gluten free, compostable and coloured with veggies, roots, seeds and flowers. Another option that we use that you probably have at home is sidewalk chalk. Pop some big sticks of chalk and a few micro planes on the table and let your little ones grate colour onto their potions. And finally, glitter. How can you do potion play without glitter?! Please ensure that the glitter that you use is bio-degradable meaning is is made from plants and not plastic. There are lots of options but here is the one we use at WildPlay Co.
And there you have it
Everything you need to set up the ultimate Bush Potion Play table! Whether you’re planning a birthday party or just want to give your kids a magical, nature-filled play experience, potion play is an activity that never fails to captivate imaginations. From the satisfying fizz of the potions to the natural ingredients that bring the wild to life, it’s a fantastic way for kids to connect with the outdoors while having fun.
Loving the idea but not fussed about the clean up? Come and visit WildPlay Co at one of our regular term programs or book in for a magical Bush Potion Play Birthday Party for your childs next birthday.
Loving these creative tips for outdoor play? Here are some more ways WildPlay Co can help you and your family can connect with nature:
Book a school holiday workshop: Do you have adventure loving, dirt-seeking kids? Book into one of our holiday programs
Check out our recipe for one of the most simple nature crafts that I bet you’ve never tried! Mud Playdough!
Bring WildPlay Co to Your School or Kindy: Want to bring the WildPlay Co experience to your school or Kindy? Talk to your school or Kindy coordinator about booking an incursion/excursion with us, and let’s make learning in nature a reality! Contact Us