Easy DIY Bath Bomb Recipe for Kids That Will Make Bath Time the Best Part of Their Day!

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Bath bombs can be pricey to buy, but they’re fun and cheap to make at home! This easy recipe is great for kids. You can even hide a small toy inside to make bath time extra exciting. When the bath bomb fizzes away, a surprise toy pops out!

What Is a Bath Bomb?

A bath bomb is a hard ball that fizzes and melts in water. It makes the bath smell nice and can help soften or scrub your skin. Kids love the fun fizzing sound when it hits the water. They also enjoy feeling it break apart in their hands underwater.

You can use bath bombs as a fun treat on special nights, as a reward for good behavior, or even as a little trick (okay, a bribe!) to help get your kids into the bath.

How to Make DIY Bath Bombs

This homemade bath bomb recipe for kids is easy to make on your own!

Ingredients

▢ Bath bomb molds (here’s the one I use)
▢ 1 cup baking soda
▢ 1/2 cup citric acid (buy here)
▢ 1/2 cup corn starch (also called corn flour)
▢ 1/2 cup fine sea salt (Don’t use other types of salt. You can skip this if you don’t have fine sea salt.)
▢ 2 1/2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
▢ 2 tablespoons water
▢ A few drops of food coloring

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the baking soda, citric acid, corn starch, and salt.
2. Use a spoon or something like a pestle to break up any lumps. Then whisk everything together until it looks smooth.
3. In a small cup, mix the oil and water. Slowly pour the wet mix into the dry mix while whisking. Go slow so it doesn’t fizz too much.
4. Keep mixing until the mixture feels like wet sand. If it still feels too dry, add a tiny bit more water.
5. If you want different colors, split the mix into separate bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring to each one and stir well. Use just a little coloring to avoid staining.
6. Take one side of the bath bomb mold and overfill it with the mixture.
7. For the other side, add some mix, press a small toy (like a Shopkin) into it, and then add more mix until it’s heaping full too.
8. Press the two mold halves together firmly.
9. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then gently tap the mold with a spoon and carefully open it. If it falls apart, put it back in the mold and try again.
10. Let your bath bomb dry overnight.
11. When it’s ready, drop it into warm water and watch it fizz! Don’t forget to grab the toy before draining the tub.

Notes
This recipe makes at least 4 large bath bombs. If you use smaller molds, you might be able to make 1 or 2 more. Be sure to read the safety tips at the top before making bath bombs with or for kids.

Pro Tips on Making DIY Bath Bombs

Making DIY bath bombs with kids is a fun and creative activity, but it’s normal to have a few questions before you start. Whether you’re wondering about safe ingredients, the best molds to use, or how to fix a crumbly mix, these FAQs will help guide you through the process.

Salt options for DIY bath bombs

You don’t have to use salt in your bath bombs. We suggest using fine sea salt if you want to add some. It works well instead of Epsom salt, which is in many other recipes.

If you want to use Epsom salt, ask your doctor first—especially if you’re making bath bombs for kids.

Important: Don’t use regular table salt in place of fine sea salt. If you don’t have fine sea salt, it’s okay to leave it out of the recipe.

Do bath bombs stain the tub?

If you only use a few drops of food coloring, your bath should not stain. The water in the tub dilutes the color a lot. But to be safe, test a small amount first.

If you see any color left in the tub after the bath, wipe it off with a paper towel right away and rinse with water.

Only use one bath bomb per bath.

You can also use special bath soap coloring dye. It’s made for baths and usually says it won’t stain.

How to store bath bombs

Keep bath bombs in a sealed plastic bag in a cool, dry place. If you leave them out in the open, they may lose their fizz over time. Don’t touch them with wet hands—they’ll start to fizz too early!

What else can I use as a bath bomb mold?

You can use almost anything flexible as a mold for your bath bombs. Look around the house and get creative! Here are some fun ideas:

• Yogurt or pudding cups
• Plastic Christmas decorations (like a star)
• Toy packaging
• Easter egg shells
• Silicone ice cube trays
• Silicone cupcake liners
• Plastic cookie cutters (place them on a tray)

For kids, it’s easier to make half-shapes instead of full spheres. Full spheres need a two-sided mold. To make one:

1. Slightly overfill each half with the mix.
2. Press the halves together tightly.
3. Wrap an elastic band around the mold to hold it in place while it dries.
4. Be extra gentle when removing the bath bomb from the mold.

What if the mixture is too powdery?

If your bath bomb mix is too dry and won’t stick together, add a tiny bit more water. Keep mixing until it holds its shape. If pouring water in is tricky, try using a spray bottle instead. That way, you can add it slowly and more evenly.

Now, take your mold and fill one half until it’s slightly overflowing. Press both halves of the mold together firmly. Then gently take off one side of the mold. Place the bath bomb on a tray and let it sit to dry before removing the other side.

When can I take it out of the mold?

Wait about one hour before removing the second half of the mold. If it breaks, don’t worry! You can press the mix back into the mold and give it more time to dry.

The goal is to let the bath bomb dry overnight. But if you leave it in the mold too long, it might stick and be harder to get out without breaking. So try to find the right balance.

Once you’re ready, carefully flip the bath bomb so the open side is on the bottom. Then slowly remove the other side of the mold. Be gentle—these can fall apart if you move too fast!

What if my bath bomb cracks?

If your bath bomb breaks in half while you’re taking it out, press the pieces back together. Or, you can put the mix back into the bowl and try molding it again.

This has happened to me a few times, so don’t stress. It’s easy to fix!

After you’ve removed the bath bomb from the mold, let it dry for at least 8 hours or overnight. Once it’s completely dry, you can wrap it in plastic and store it in a dry place—or give it as a gift!

Remember to Have Fun!

Making DIY bath bombs is more than just a fun craft—it’s a sweet way to spend time with your grandkids, laugh together, and maybe even get a little messy! Whether you’re picking scents, choosing colors, or pressing molds, it’s all about enjoying the moment. So roll up your sleeves, get creative, and make some bubbly memories together!

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