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Take time for tea

Take time for tea
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Prepare a homemade herbal tea blend with adult help, measure steeping times, taste and compare flavors, and learn calming rituals.

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Step-by-step guide to Take Time for Tea

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What you need
Adult supervision required, dried herbs (choose mild ones like chamomile peppermint or lemon balm), honey or sweetener (optional), kettle or teapot, measuring spoons, spoon, timer or clock, two mugs, two small bowls, two tea infusers or two paper coffee filters

Step 1

Gather all Materials Needed and put them on a clean table.

Step 2

With an adult helper pick two mild herbs you want to try for your tea.

Step 3

Measure the same recipe into two small bowls: 1 teaspoon of Herb A and 1/2 teaspoon of Herb B for each bowl.

Step 4

Spoon the herbs from each bowl into two tea infusers or into two folded paper tea bags.

Step 5

Ask an adult to boil enough water in the kettle or pot until it is steaming hot.

Step 6

Place Infuser A into Mug A and place Infuser B into Mug B.

Step 7

Ask the adult to carefully pour hot water into both mugs until each is three quarters full.

Step 8

Start a timer for Mug A set to 2 minutes.

Step 9

Start a timer for Mug B set to 5 minutes.

Step 10

When the 2 minute timer rings ask the adult to remove Infuser A and wait one minute for the tea to cool.

Step 11

Take one small sip of Mug A and notice the flavor and how it makes you feel.

Step 12

When the 5 minute timer rings ask the adult to remove Infuser B and wait one minute for the tea to cool, then take one small sip of Mug B.

Step 13

On a piece of paper draw or write which steep time tasted stronger which cup felt more calming and which cup you liked best.

Step 14

Hold your favorite mug close close your eyes and take three slow deep breaths while smelling the tea as your calming ritual.

Step 15

Share a photo or short note about your homemade tea blend your favorite steeping time and your calming ritual on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use instead of tea infusers or folded paper tea bags if we can't find them?

If tea infusers or folded paper tea bags aren't available, make a pouch from a clean coffee filter or small muslin cloth to spoon the measured herbs into before placing it in the mug as directed.

The tea tasted too weak/too strong—what should we check or change during the activity?

If Mug A tastes too weak after the 2-minute steep, confirm you measured 1 teaspoon Herb A and 1/2 teaspoon Herb B into the bowl and next time either increase Mug A's steep to 3 minutes or add another 1/2 teaspoon of Herb A, while if Mug B is too strong shorten its steep below 5 minutes.

How can we adapt this activity for different ages so it's safe and engaging?

For younger children have the adult handle boiling the water and pouring in the kettle/pot and placing/removing infusers while the child chooses herbs, measures into bowls, smells, and draws, and for older kids let them measure, set the timers for 2 and 5 minutes, remove the infusers with adult supervision, and post their photo on DIY.org.

How can we personalize or extend the tea activity after tasting both cups?

To extend the activity try varying the measured herb ratios during the measuring step, add a teaspoon of honey or a slice of lemon after tasting to compare flavors, decorate and label your favorite mug before the three deep breaths ritual, and then share the updated photo and notes on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to Take Time for Tea

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Facts about herbal tea and calming routines

⚠️ Not every plant is safe to brew—some herbs can be harmful to children or people with health conditions, so always check with an adult or trusted source.

⏱️ Steeping time changes the taste a lot: many herbs brew best in 3–7 minutes, green tea in 1–3 minutes, and black tea in 3–5 minutes.

🌼 Chamomile has been used for centuries as a gentle calming tea and contains apigenin, a compound linked to relaxation.

🍵 Most "herbal teas" are actually tisanes made from herbs, flowers, or fruits and usually don't contain caffeine.

🫖 The Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) turns making and drinking tea into a mindful ritual designed to calm and focus the mind.

How do I do a Take Time for Tea activity with my child?

Start by choosing 2–3 mild, child-safe herbs (chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint). With adult help, let the child measure small spoonfuls into labeled cups, set timers for different steeping times, and observe changes in color and smell. Adults handle boiling water and pouring; after cooling, let kids taste small sips and compare flavors. Finish with a short calming ritual—deep breaths, a quiet minute, or sharing what they liked—to teach observation and relaxation.

What materials do I need for a homemade herbal tea tasting?

Gather dried, child-safe herbs (chamomile, lemon balm, peppermint), measuring spoons, small jars or labeled cups, a teapot or heatproof pitcher, a kettle (adult use only), strainers or infusers, cups and spoons, a timer, and paper and pencils for recording tastes. Optional items: honey or lemon for older kids, a tray and cloth for spills, and a printed allergy checklist. Always verify herbs are appropriate for your child.

What ages is the Take Time for Tea activity suitable for?

This activity works well for preschoolers through school-age children with adult supervision. Ages 3–5 enjoy smelling, measuring, and sensory play while adults handle hot water. Ages 6–12 can measure steeping times, record tasting notes, compare flavors, and lead calming rituals. Adapt steps and safety precautions to fit your child’s attention span and motor skills, offering simpler tasks to younger children and more responsibility to older kids.

What safety tips should I follow when making herbal tea with my child?

Check that herbs are safe for children and free from allergies; consult your pediatrician if unsure. Adults should boil water and pour while children observe from a safe distance; always let tea cool before tasting. Avoid herbs not recommended for young children and never give honey to babies under 1 year. Offer small sips, supervise closely, keep allergy medication accessible, and teach children to wait for adult permission before drinking hot beverages.
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