How to Make a Safe Henna for Kids

Draw simple or more complex henna designs.

Children will find henna not only a fun activity, but also an educational one. Henna is an art form that dates back 5,000 years and has much significance in many cultures. The universal meaning behind henna is love. You can use henna as a fun decorating activity, to celebrate an achievement or as a simple declaration of love that children will remember for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Black tea
• Eucalyptus oil
• Henna powder
• Ground cloves
• Lemon juice

Instructions

1. Boil 2 or 3 cups of water in a saucepan. Once it has reached a boil, remove the saucepan from the heat and place the black tea bag in the water. Allow the tea bag to sit in the water for several hours.

2. Add 3 or 4 drops of eucalyptus oil to the water. Allow the mixture to infuse overnight.

3. Place 1 cup of henna powder in a large bowl with 1 tsp. ground cloves. Henna powder can be purchased in most health food stores or online.

4. Remove the tea bag from the water mixture. Heat the tea, eucalyptus oil and water mixture until warm. Pour the mixture into the bowl that contains the henna and cloves. Pour only enough water mixture into the henna bowl to form a thick paste.

5. Add 1 tsp. lemon juice to the mixture. Add more water and tea mixture if necessary, until the henna mix is the consistency of toothpaste or yogurt.

6. Transfer the completed mixture to an airtight container, where it will stay fresh for up to 2 days.

Tips & Warnings

• Use an icing bag with a thin tip to apply henna accurately.

References

• Organic Authority; Extra Special Homemade Henna; Andrea Manitsas
• The Henna Page: How Do You Mix and Apply Henna?

Resources

• I Shop Indian: Dulhan Mehendi Deluxe Henna Powder