Homemade Bath Bombs Sensory Craft
Mix baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils to mold fizzy bath bombs — your child makes them, then watches them fizz and dissolve in the tub.
What You'll Need
- 1Baking soda (1 cup)
- 2Citric acid (1/2 cup)
- 3Cornstarch (1/2 cup)
- 4Coconut oil (2 tablespoons)
- 5Essential oil (lavender or orange)
- 6Food coloring
- 7Silicone molds or round mold
- 8Mixing bowls
What You'll Need
Baking soda (1 cup)
Citric acid (1/2 cup — find in the baking aisle)
Cornstarch (1/2 cup)
Coconut oil (2 tablespoons, melted)
Essential oil: lavender, orange, or peppermint
Food coloring
Silicone molds
Mixing bowls
How to Play
Combine baking soda, citric acid, and cornstarch in a bowl.
Mix coconut oil, essential oil, and coloring in a separate cup.
Pour wet into dry SLOWLY, stirring constantly. If it fizzes, you're adding too fast.
Mix until it feels like wet sand — squeeze a handful and it should hold its shape.
Pack firmly into silicone molds. Really press it in there.
Let dry for 24 hours until completely solid.
Drop one into the bath and enjoy the fizzing, color-releasing, scented show.
Tips
The slow pour is critical. Adding wet to dry too fast triggers the fizzing reaction early — and you want to save that for the bath.
Citric acid is the key ingredient and it's widely available in grocery store baking aisles.
Use kid-safe essential oils and keep the amount small — 3-5 drops per batch is enough.
These make incredible homemade gifts. Package in cellophane with a ribbon.
The fizzing sensation on skin in the bathtub is a multi-sensory experience: visual, tactile, olfactory, and auditory.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 30 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: baking soda (1 cup), citric acid (1/2 cup), cornstarch (1/2 cup), coconut oil (2 tablespoons), essential oil (lavender or orange), and 3 more items.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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