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Our girls LOVE to play “spa”. Pretending to pamper and be pampered at a spa ranks as one of their favorite activities, so here’s how we host a DIY spa day for girls…
While they’ve been playing spa for a couple years, now that Julia is 9 and Sophia and Olivia are almost 7, all three girls are super into it.
Often they’ll just do a simplified spa by themselves but, some days, I help out and we make it a bigger affair.
Here are 10 steps for hosting a DIY spa day for girls…
- Prepare Your Salon
We lay out pink beach towels so each girl has her own “salon bed”. Some days the girls put out umbrellas next to their towels to pretend they are at the beach or at an outdoor spa. You can keep this really simple or add a few extra touches like rolling up extra towels to make the scene look a little fancier.
- Select Nail Polish
Have each girl pick out their preferred polish color for their nails and their toes. I like to keep the fingernail polish a lighter shade, but I give them freedom in their choice.
- Make Lemonade or Tea
Your little spa girls will want to sip on a beverage as they relax before, during or after their treatments. I serve their drinks in cups with lids and straws to prevent spills.
- Make a Homemade DIY Facial Mask
Our favorite mask is a simple combination of avocado, oatmeal and honey. There are an endless number of DIY mask recipes on Pinterest.
- Put on Relaxing Music
I usually just pull up an Enya song or something like that on my iPhone. Or you could stream soothing classical music for kids. Playing soft music is such a great tip for a fabulous spa day at home.
- Apply Face Masks
The girls may choose to apply the masks to each other, or you can apply it for them. Our girls also love to place cucumber slices over their eyelids. Have a handheld mirror nearby or the girls will likely jump up and run to a mirror to see how they look. They may get such a laugh at how they look that they’ll want to take a selfie. It’s all part of the fun!
- Massage Feet and Hands
Using a nice lotion (possibly lightly scented), massage the girls’ hands and feet while their masks dry. The massage will help calm them back down after any giggles from face mask photos.
- Remove Face Masks with Warm Cloths
My girls love how it feels when I use a warm cloth and a basin of water to remove their masks while they’re laying on their “salon mats”. If you’ve had a facial at a salon before, think of how the esthetician places the warm towel on your face to loosen the dried mask and then gently wipes and washes the mask off.
- Have Manicures and Pedicures
The best part of an at home spa day is having your nails painted. Even if you don’t consider yourself a pro at painting nails, your kids will love having you give them manicures and pedicures. Our girls love to laugh as we place rolled up tissue between their toes before painting. Just take your time, and don’t worry about it being perfect.
- Relax While Polish Dries
You may want to read a book to the girls while their nail polish dries, or if you need a break, put on a movie for them and YOU take a turn relaxing.
I hope you have fun hosting a spa day with your kids!
Pin It For Later
More Fun For Kids (That’s Relaxing Too!)
If you’re looking for another fun activity for your girls and boys that’s also relaxing… try playing with Kinetic Sand. You can keep kids happily playing for hours and you’ll also enjoy how soothing it is. It’s the perfect calm activity to end your at-home spa day.
Find More DIYs For Girls
For more fun ideas, check out our other crafts and DIY blog posts and Kids Activities Pinterest board.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at pinterest.com/5minutesformom
Ivonne says
Hi I was looking for ideas for a spa birthday for my 10 yr girl. Great tips thanks.
Raven says
This gives me some ideas to do this myself for my mom
PuffyBiggler says
This sounds like so much fun. I wish we had spa days when I was a kid. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah L says
Very fun. No kids, but *I’d* like a spa day.
Allyson Ballard Bossie says
These are great ideas! We are having a fun spa day Memorial Day weekend for my daughters and their friends!
Michelle S says
I think this is a wonderful idea for mother’s to bond on a dime with their daughters.
Rebecca Parsons says
I would have never thought of something like this. Very neat ideas and so many more.
Sandra Watts says
I have 2 boys that would never go along with this but my grand daughter loves it. We do nail polish together all the time.
Karen Propes says
This is a fabulous idea. Not only makes them feel good, but special too. Thanks for sharing.
Vee says
It’s so fun!
Janet W. says
Sounds like a fun, relaxing day to spend with your kids! Great ideas!
Doris Calvert says
What a cool idea, I never thought of that for young girls, it tickles me pink, thanks for sharing!
Michele P says
last year my neighbor did that with my daughter and her daughter and it was such fun, this year I am thinking of doing something along those lines during summer vacation so was glad to see some good ideas.
Keara B. says
My daughter loves getting dirty and playing outside, but she’s also a girly girl who loves having her nails done! I can’t wait to try these other ideas for a spa day. One of the fun perks of having a sweet daughter. 🙂
Angela Stevens says
Send kids out with dad first then go to spa.
Natalie Brown says
This is such a fun idea! I wish I had a granddaughter to have a spa day with. I have a grandson so, maybe a girl soon?! Thanks for the tips too. 🙂
Karen E Hill says
When I was a kid we had heard of mud baths but a spa?? No way.
Laurie Strawbridge says
I love this idea! I think you could aim this idea to any age group. I have a 3 yr old granddaughter and a 12 yr old granddaughter. Both would love a spa day!
Kim Hampton says
I need to do this for my daughter’s birthday party! She would love it!
Jennifer McKinney says
This is great! I hope this is something my son is interested in doing with me before he gets too old and I embarrass him!
eevon khoo says
Tis DIY spa sounds so fun!! great for pajamas party
Lori Sexton Leal says
I absolutely love at home spa days! They are a great way to get in my “me” time, usually after my son is in bed or sometimes while we’re having a movie night (I’ll sneak on a face mask while we watch!) 🙂
Sarah says
My son let’s me paint his nails but he washes it off before he goes out or his dad gets home *lol*
kaitlin Ann says
great post and ideas! I def have a girly girl
Sandy Vanbuskirk says
now that would be family fun time spa day woo hoo
Holly Wright says
My sister did this for my nieces Birthday party and it was a huge hit! Thanks for the great idea!
Stephanie M says
What a fun idea! My daughter would love this! She loves getting her nails done 🙂 Thanks for the tips!
Jenny says
My 8 year old Ava would love do to this.
Tiffany Witherspoon says
I would love to do this with my nieces!!!
kymi a says
So awesome and what a great bonding & fun experience I can’t wait to try this with our kids. Thank you for sharing.
@MomLuvsSPORTZ says
A spa day for kids sounds fun! Kids need pampering too!
Samantha Wagner says
I love this! My daughter would absolutely love this!
Dorothy Boucher says
This is wonderful, I only have one grandgirl who is up in age to have something like this, her and I share and sometimes a friend and an aunt joins in loll, thanks for the tips
Penni says
This would be the perfect way for me to spend time with my niece! She would love it!
Linda Stewart says
What I would give to have granddaughters and be able to plan a spa day with them. I don’t think my little boys can leave the mud and dirt alone long enough to spend a day at the spa 🙂
Laurie Strebe says
Such a sweet idea! I can use this for soon to be grandchildren as this info is timeless! Thank you kindly!
Sandy Klocinski says
Love it! I’ll bet the kids had a blast. A spa day at home would be a lot of fun
Soozle says
I love this idea – pretty easy to put together and would be a great bonding experience
Betty says
Don’t forget to have a photographer! There are so many photo worthy moments besides the before and after poses.
Doris Calvert says
Great idea! Never occurred to me to do some of those things!
sarah jackson says
This is a great idea ! my daughter would sure love this and its something I would love to do with her !
Marsalie says
Thanks for the tips!
meagan bs says
i love this idea, my daughter would love it!
Michelle R says
This sounds like such fun. I thank you for the prompting to do so.
Heidi c. says
This is a perfect party idea for my two tween girls. They would love it!
vickie couturier says
my grandaughters would so love this,,I may have to plan a day to have the 5 over and do a spa for them
Echo Goodner says
sounds fun!
Bonnie Way says
I did this with my girls last week and they LOVED it! My one-year-old’s favourite part was the foot bath… we couldn’t get her out of it! She spent about twenty minutes there… until I pulled out the nail polish. 🙂 Then she was willing to get dried off to have her toes painted!!! We’re totally going to do this again!
Dana says
Susan,
Having two teenage daughters, this would be a GREAT way to spend an afternoon. Thanks so much for the information, love it!
Susan says
Yes… perfect way to relax with your teenage girls. Enjoy!
Nanette ~ A Mom Blog says
Oh this sounds like so much fun! My daughter has been wanting to have a spa day but I’ve been just a bit hesitant about taking her to one. A spa day at home could be a lot more fun.
Susan says
Oh yes, definitely… I’ve never paid to take my girls to a real spa… I can’t afford that. But this is just as fun (if not more)!
Anna says
Adorable! My daughter is a little young for this, but it’s a great idea to hang onto for the future!
Susan says
Such fun you have ahead… little girls are the best!
Bonnie Way says
I love this idea! My girls would totally go for it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Susan says
You will all have such fun. Enjoy!