Bath bombs can be expensive to buy but they can be a fun activity and relatively inexpensive to make on your own! This bath bomb recipe for kids is also fun to turn into a bath time surprise activity by hiding little toys inside. Once the bath bomb dissolves you’ll get to see the surprise toy waiting inside!
These bath bombs are colorful and fun for kids! We love that you can hide little toys and trinkets inside to make bath time extra special! Use shopkins, small dinosaurs or other little toys that will fit inside the molds.
The best part about making your own bath bombs is you know where all of the ingredients come from. We like to select brands or products that state where the source of the ingredient comes from and we can support companies that ethically source ingredients.
We love doing bath bombs in our house as a fun activity during bath time. We do it sparingly though – as the ingredients in bath bombs can irritate skin if used too frequently. I would recommend to not use a bath bomb more than once a week with kids.
Since bath bombs contain baking soda and citric acid, we need to take some precaution when making them. I have included all of the safety tips you will find on any bath bomb making kit so please read and keep these in mind when making your own.
Supplies Needed to Make Bath Bombs
Baking Soda
Citric Acid
Corn Starch (also called Cornflour)
Fine Sea Salt (can be excluded, see tips below)
Coconut Oil
Water
Food Coloring (optional) or Bath Bomb Soap Dye
Bath Bomb Molds
Small toys – like shopkins or dinosaurs (optional)
Salt Options for Bath Bombs
Salt is not required to make a bath bomb. We have included fine sea salt as a replacement for Epsom salt you will see in a lot of recipes. If you would like to use Epsom salt instead, speak to your doctor before using for children.
Do not replace the fine sea salt with regular table salt. If you do not have fine sea salt, you can exclude this from the recipe.
Do the Bath Bombs Stain the Tub?
Only use a few drops of food coloring and you shouldn’t have a problem with staining in your tub. Because your bath is filled with water the food coloring becomes very diluted when dissolved in the tub. Do test a small amount first. And if any coloring remains after the bath, use a paper towel to wipe it off right away, then rinse with water. Use only 1 bath bomb per bath.
You can also use bath soap coloring dye which is water soluble and states it is stain free.
Storage Tips for Bath Bombs
Store inside a sealed plastic bag in a cool, dry place. If left out exposed to air, it will gradually lose some fizzing effect. Also avoid touching the bath bombs with wet hands.
Directions to Make Homemade Bath Bombs for Kids
Equipment
Bath Bomb Molds
Ingredients
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cup corn starch Also called corn flour
1/2 cup fine sea salt Do not substitute with other salt. You can omit this from the recipe if you do not have fine sea salt.
2 1/2 tbsp cocounut oil melted
2 tbsp water
food coloring
bath bomb molds See above for a link to the molds.
Instructions
Mix the baking soda, citric acid, corn starch and salt together in a medium-sized bowl.
You can use a spoon or pestle to break up any chunks. Then whisk together.
Mix the oil and water together and very slowly add it to the dry ingredients. Mix with a whisk as you add the wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients slowly so you do not cause too much fizz when they are added.
Your mixture will hold together like wet sand once it is fully mixed. Add a small amount of water if the mixture still seems too dry.
If you want to make your bath bombs multiple colors, divide the mixture up into separate bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix well. Use the food coloring sparingly to avoid issues with staining.
Overfill one side of the bath bomb mold with the mixture.
For the other side of the bath bomb mold, add some mixture and then press a Shopkins or another small toy into the mold and fill with more of the mixture. You want both sides of the mold to be heaping full.
Firmly press the 2 sides of the mold together.
Allow the bath bomb to sit for a few minutes and then give the mold a tap with a spoon and carefully remove it to reveal the bath bomb. If the bath bomb breaks apart, simply add back into the mold and try again.
Let the bath bomb dry overnight.
When you are ready to use, simply drop the bath bomb into warm water and watch it fizz and reveal a surprise toy! Make sure to take the toy out of the water before draining the tub.
Remove the figure or toy from the water before draining. Never put the toy in the drain. If any of the coloring remains in the tub, wipe it off right away with a paper towel and rinse with water.
We hope you have fun making your own DIY bath bombs!