Creating bath bombs is a fun indoor activity that will keep kids entertained on a rainy day—and they make wonderful gifts for friends and family. You can get creative by experimenting with colors, adding flowers from the garden, and trying out different shapes. Once you have the basic ingredients, it's simple to customize the recipe with items you already have at home. While these ingredients are safe for bath time, remember that bath bombs are not meant to be eaten. This craft is best suited for children aged eight and up.
Bath Bomb Recipe
You will have 4 half-balls and the preparation time is 30 minutes, plus 2-4 hours to set. You will need:
- 100g bicarbonate of soda
- 50g citric acid
- 25g cornflour
- 25g Epsom salt (optional)
- 2 tbsp oil (sunflower, coconut, olive, or CBD oil)
- ¼ tsp essential oil (orange, lavender, or chamomile)
- A few drops of liquid food coloring
- Orange peel, lavender, or rose petals for decoration (optional)
Plus:
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Plastic molds (see below for ideas)
How To Make Bath Bombs
- Combine the bicarbonate of soda, cornflour, citric acid, and Epsom salt in a bowl, whisking until well mixed.
- In a separate small bowl, stir together the base oil, essential oil, and food coloring, blending the oil and color as much as possible.
- Gradually pour the oil mixture into the dry ingredients, adding a little at a time and whisking between each addition. Once all the oil is incorporated, add a few small drops of water and whisk quickly (it will fizz slightly). The mixture should hold together when pressed in your hand but not be overly wet.
- If you'd like to decorate with peel or flower petals, place them at the bottom of your mold. Firmly pack the bath bomb mixture on top, pressing it down and smoothing the surface with a teaspoon.
- Let the bath bomb set in the mold for 2-4 hours, then gently remove it. Your bath bomb is ready to use—drop it into the bath and enjoy the fizz!
What Can You Use as a Bath Bomb Mold?
You can get creative with anything flexible around the house to shape your bath bombs. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Yogurt or pudding containers
- Christmas tree ornaments
- Plastic toy packaging
- Easter egg molds
- Silicone ice cube trays
- Silicone cupcake cases
- Plastic cookie cutters (place them on a tray)
If you want to create a perfect sphere, you'll need a two-sided mold. Slightly overfill each half with the mixture, then press them firmly together and secure with elastic bands while they set. When removing the bath bomb, be very gentle to keep its shape intact.
Where Can You Buy Citric Acid?
Citric acid is commonly used in homemade drinks like cordials and for winemaking, and it's a key ingredient in store-bought bath bombs, creating the fizz when combined with bicarbonate of soda. You can purchase citric acid online or at some larger pharmacies.
Top Tips for Making Bath Bombs
- Always use liquid food coloring, as gels tend to clump and are difficult to mix evenly with the bicarbonate.
- Once you’ve added the liquid ingredients, work quickly to combine everything and press the mixture into the molds as soon as possible.
- Let your bath bombs dry uncovered in a cool, dry area, away from moisture and humidity. They may take longer to set in humid conditions.
- If you’re working with multiple colors, try creating a rainbow bath bomb by layering the colors for a beautifully blended effect.