How to Make Bath Bombs for Kids or with kids

Making bath bombs with kids can be a fun and creative activity. Here’s a simple kid-friendly bath bomb recipe that you can enjoy making together:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid (this is safe for kids, but avoid inhaling it)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil or another kid-safe oil
• 15-20 drops of kid-friendly essential oils (like lavender or chamomile)
• Natural food coloring or kid-safe soap colorants
• Small toys or trinkets (optional, for a surprise inside)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Work Area: Cover your work surface with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to make cleanup easier. Ensure that kids are wearing old clothes or aprons to protect their clothing.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, have the kids add the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch, and Epsom salt. Let them mix these dry ingredients together with a whisk or spoon. This is a great opportunity for kids to practice measuring and mixing.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, add the coconut oil and essential oils. Let the kids carefully mix this into the dry ingredients. Ensure they do this slowly to avoid fizzing reactions. You can also add a few drops of natural food coloring at this stage to tint the mixture. If you’re adding a surprise inside, now is the time to place a small toy or trinket into one half of a bath bomb mold.
4. Mold the Bath Bombs: Show the kids how to pack the mixture into bath bomb molds (or silicone cupcake molds) or shape them by hand. Encourage them to press the mixture down firmly to ensure the bath bombs hold their shape. If you’re using molds, you can overfill them slightly and then gently press the molds together to create a spherical bath bomb. If not, use your hands to shape the bath bombs into round balls.
5. Let Them Dry: Allow the bath bombs to dry for several hours or overnight. If the kids are making these as a gift or for a special occasion, consider making them a day or two in advance to ensure they have ample time to harden.
6. Remove and Enjoy: Carefully remove the bath bombs from the molds or cupcake liners. If you used silicone molds, gently push them out. If not, they should hold their shape after drying. Store the bath bombs in an airtight container until they are ready to be used.

Making bath bombs with kids can be a great way to foster creativity and teach them about simple chemistry. Just be sure to supervise closely, especially when handling the citric acid, and make it an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone involved.