An easy DIY project to do at home during the lockdown with your family or even to start up your own business. This easy step by step guide will have you making the most beautiful, colourful and great smelling bombs in no time. The recipe is adaptable which makes it even more fun. Your kids will love it!

These ingredients are safe to use on the skin and in the bath, but it is important to note that bath bombs are inedible. I recommend this craft for children aged eight years and over.

Bath bomb also contain the use of natural oils which provides added moisture to the skin and can make the bath tub slippery after use.

Bath Bomb Recipe

Makes 4 half-balls
Prep 30 mins, plus 2-4 hrs setting

• 25g cornflour
• 100g bicarbonate of soda
• 50g citric acid
• 25g Epsom salt (optional)
• ¼ tsp essential oil, such as orange, lavender or chamomile
• 2 tbsp oil – such as sunflower, sweet almond oil, coconut or olive oil
• a few drops of liquid food colouring
• orange peel, lavender or rose petals, to decorate (optional)

You will also need

• mixing bowl
• Gloves
• whisk
• Spray bottle with water
• moulds (see below for ideas)

Method

1. Combine bicarbonate of soda, citric acid, cornflour and Epsom salt in a bowl, then whisk until fully combined with no lumps.

2. Pour the base oil (sunflower, sweet almond oil, coconut or olive oil), essential oil and food colouring in a separate bowl. Mix together well, combining the oil with the colouring as much as possible.

3. Slowly add the oil mixture into the dry ingredients a little at a time, whisking between each addition. If whisker is not available use a pair of gloves with your bare hand to combine. When all the oil is added, spray water in moderation and whisk again (it will fizz when you add the water, so mix it in quickly). You’re looking for the mixture to slightly clump together when pressed in your hand and keep its shape – it shouldn’t be too wet.

4. If you’re adding peel or flower petals to decorate, drop them into the bottom of your chosen mould. Pack your mixture tightly on top, pressing down and smoothing out the top with a teaspoon.

5. Leave your bath bomb in the mould to dry for 2-4 hrs, then carefully remove it. It’s now ready to drop into the bath – beautiful colour and fizz!!

What can I use as a bath bomb mould?

Anything flexible. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Silicone cupcake cases
• Yogurt or pudding pots
• Easter egg packaging
• Christmas tree decorations (we used a star)
• Plastic biscuit cutters (place them on a tray)
• Plastic packaging from toys
• Silicone ice cube trays

HAVE FUN!!!