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Bath Bomb Recipe – Gifts Kids Can Make

Bath Bomb Recipe without Citric Acid, but using store cupboard ingredients!

These DIY Bath Bombs make great Gifts That Kids Can Make – for relatives or teachers alike! Easy Heart Crafts are always popular as gifts. But we also have another Easter Bath Bomb Recipe for you to check out here (lovely Peeps Bath Bomb shapes, so so sooo cute). And I think you will also like these fabulous Dinosaur Egg soaps – wash your hands to release the baby dinosaur!

Bath Bomb Recipe without Citric Acid - Gifts Kids Can Make! Homemade Bath Bombs are one of our favourite gifts to make and give for kids. This DIY Bath Bomb recipe is quick and easy and makes a great Christmas gift for mum, grandparents and teachers. Learn how to make Bath Bombs today! This recipe contains no Citric Acid but uses store cupboard staples. #BathBombs #GiftIdeas #giftsthatkidscanmake #giftsbykids #easybathbombs #bathbombrecipe

Note: this Easy How to make Bath Bombs how to, was originally shared in Dec 2013 and republished for your convenience!

Bath Bomb Recipe - Gifts Kids Can Make! Homemade Bath Bombs are one of our favourite gifts to make and give for kids. This DIY Bath Bomb recipe is quick and easy and makes a great Christmas gift for mum, grandparents and teachers. Learn how to make Bath Bombs today! This recipe contains no Citric Acid but uses store cupboard staples. #BathBombs #GiftIdeas #giftsthatkidscanmake #giftsbykids #easybathbombs #bathbombrecipe

We have been planning to make Bath Bombs since the beginning of the year. After all, they are such a great gift for Mother’s Day. But clearly didn’t get round to it (again – so much to do, so much to make, not enough time!). One of the reasons, is that many Bath Bomb Recipes use Citric Acid and I just hadn’t had the chance to get hold of some. But you don’t need citric acid to make bath bombs. A Bath Bomb Recipe without Citric Acid contains that magical ingredient Tartar (also used for making playdough nice and smooth). So if you are a DIY household and have some Tartar in, you can make bath bombs with the kids – a great gift for friends and family in the run up to *cough* Christmas. Check out Me and My Shadow for the “traditional” bath bomb recipe.

Bath Bomb Recipe without Citric Acid - Gifts Kids Can Make! Homemade Bath Bombs are one of our favourite gifts to make and give for kids. This DIY Bath Bomb recipe is quick and easy and makes a great Christmas gift for mum, grandparents and teachers. Learn how to make Bath Bombs today! This recipe contains no Citric Acid but uses store cupboard staples. #BathBombs #GiftIdeas #giftsthatkidscanmake #giftsbykids #easybathbombs #bathbombrecipe

Bath Bomb Recipe without Citric Acid:

Affiliate links added for convenience – if you purchase core items online, you can buy them in bulk and make this a super inexpensive craft!

  • 2 cups bicarbonate of soda (sometimes called baking soda) – US/UK
  • 1 cup cream of tartar – US  / UK
  • 1-2 table spoons of olive oil or plain oil (the oil gives it a nice soothness in the bath)
  • food colouring
  • essential oils (we used lavender)* (always read instructions) – US / UK
  • dried lavender (optional) US/ UK
  • Water in a spray bottle
  • Ice cube trays (silicon best – hearts work better than stars, don’t get shapes that are too intricate or have sharp corners that could break off) – US  /UK

*please always be careful when using essential oils and follow the instructions on the label

Bath Bomb Recipe How To

You can watch the video or follow the step by step instructions below!

Or follow the How to make Bath Bombs Step By Step instructions!

Bath Bomb Recipe without Citric acid

1) Mix your bircabonate of soda, tartar, oil, essential oils and food colouring until you have a colour you are happy with. As food colouring is “wet” it will form little dropplets and you just have to persevere in mixing it in. It will still look quite powdery.

2) Give it 2-3 sprays of water. It will start to sizzle as the bicarbonate of soda reacts with the water. But start mixing it and it will feel a little more “solid”, a bit like wet sand. When you can indent your spoon on the mixture and leave a nice “shape” behind without it crumbling too much you are ready to transfer to your ice cube trays. You can add a couple of sprays of water, if it isn’t lumpy enough yet. Using a SPRAY bottle really is important (we used a cleaned out cleaning bottle), as this disperses the water evenly and avoids, the bircab to just sizzle away in one part of your bowl!!

Bath Bomb How To

3) Mix in some lavender. We go carried away and added quite a lot. Less is more as a) you don’t want your bath bomb to fall apart and also, you WILL have a bath full of lavender at the end!!

Bath Bomb Gifts Kids Can Make

4) Fill into your icecube trays (silicon REALLY IS BEST, else it is VERY HARD to get out in one go) and press down hard.

5) Let dry for 1-2 days. They get harder over time.

Bath Bomb Gifts Kids Can Make - Bath Bombs without Citric Acid. Bath Bomb Recipe - Gifts Kids Can Make! Homemade Bath Bombs are one of our favourite gifts to make and give for kids. This DIY Bath Bomb recipe is quick and easy and makes a great Christmas gift for mum, grandparents and teachers. Learn how to make Bath Bombs today! This recipe contains no Citric Acid but uses store cupboard staples. #BathBombs #GiftIdeas #giftsthatkidscanmake #giftsbykids #easybathbombs #bathbombrecipe

6) Remove gently and done. If you find, they break apart, you didn’t add enough water spray to begin with. You can crumble it all again, spray with more water and start again.



7) Have a nice relaxing bath! See our bath bombs in action!

Don’t forget to stock up!!

  • bicarbonate of soda (sometimes called baking soda) – US/UK
  • cream of tartar – US  / UK
  • essential oils (we used lavender)* (always read instructions) – US / UK
  • dried lavender (optional) – US/ UK
  • Ice cube trays (silicon best – hearts work better than stars, don’t get shapes that are too intricate or have sharp corners that could break off) – US  /UK
Bath Bomb DIY Recipe for kids
Print

Easy Bath Bomb Recipe

An easy bath bomb recipe that kids can make, that does not require citric acid, just store cupboard ingredients
Active Time20 mins

Equipment

  • bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) 
  • cream of tartar (in the baking isle)
  • essential oils (we used lavender) – always follow instructions on the label
  • dried lavender (optional) or sprinkles for decor
  • silicon moulds or ice cube trays
  • bowl for mixing
  • a little water that you can spray
  • food colouring (optional)

Instructions

  • Mix your bircabonate of soda, tartar, oil, essential oils and food colouring until you have a colour you are happy with
  • 2-3 sprays of water
  • It will start to sizzle as the bicarbonate of soda reacts with the water. Start mixing it and it will feel a little more “solid”, a bit like wet sand. When you can indent your spoon on the mixture and leave a nice “shape” behind without it crumbling too much you are ready to transfer to your ice cube trays
  • Using a SPRAY bottle really is important (use a cleaned out cleaning bottle), as this disperses the water evenly and avoids, the bircab to just sizzle away in one part of your bowl
  • Mix in some lavender
  • Fill into your icecube trays (silicon REALLY IS BEST, else it is VERY HARD to get out in one go) and press down hard
  • Let dry for at least 1-2 days. They get harder over time – the longer you leave them the better
  • Remove gently and done. If you find, they break apart, you didn’t add enough water spray to begin with. You can crumble it all again, spray with more water and start again

Video

Notes

Looking for Christmas Gifts that Kids Can Make? Take a look:

Christmas Gift Ideas sml
Homemade gifts are the best at Christmas!

Filed Under: Gifts, How To's, Kids Craft, Valentines 138 Comments

Comments

    • Red Ted Art says

      I found a 170g pot at our local supermarket – which was enough for our ice cube tray of bath bombs. If that fails, places like amazon always good? Sorry!

      Reply

      • Anonymous says

        Er, cream of tar tar is too expensive and I cant get a hold of Citric Acid. Any suggestions for me to replace those two?

        Reply

          • Sharon Plessier says

            You can get all three, citric acid, cream of tartare and bicarb from the soap kitchen. wwwthesoapkitchen.co.uk

            Don’t know what international shipping prices are though. You’ll need to email them, they use UPS

          • Sarah says

            Try your local Indian or ethnic shop and chances are they’ll have citric acid. That’s where I got mine.

        • Maggie says

          I agree! Cream of Tarter is like $14 for a tiny little box :S I thought this be a really cute Christmas gift my son could make for his teacher, grandma’s and aunties though!

          Reply

        • Mandy P says

          I am trying it with cornstarch instead. Cream of tartar is super expensive! You can also find citric acid on-line at cheesemaking sites.

          Reply

  6. Pinkoddy says

    What a fantastic idea – and nanny will prefer something the children made rather than some token gift she didn’t even want. I have pinned and google plused this so I don’t lose it. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  8. Claire Delaney says

    Hello,

    How many bath bombs would you say the ingredients above make? I would love to do this with my pupils 🙂

    Reply

  9. emmie jo says

    how long do these keep for as thinking of making them as a gift but need to start soon to make enough for the many many people. wish i had this last yr for my sons teacher for christmas not sure his new male teacher will appreciate the lavender scent! may have to experiment for a manly scent.

    Reply

    • Red Ted Art says

      So long as you keep the quantities the same RELATIVELY to each other it doesn’t matter? I used a small ish tea cup. And just made sure I use the same tea cup to measure it all out…

      Reply

  12. Kristin says

    These look fabulous! My daughter & I are going to make them as gifts for her to give out :). I am wondering when the Olive oil should be mixed in, as I see it listed in the ingredients but not in the directions.

    Reply

  13. Tara says

    Hi there,
    How can I print out this recipe as I would like to make the bath bombs with my daycare children. We won’t have access to a computer when we make these.
    Thank you for your assistance.

    Reply

  15. Dana says

    I want to do an all homemade Christmas gift giving this year and I think these would be perfect for post Christmas stress! In your opinion, which does more good for the skin – tartar method or bicarbonate method? How do the two textures differ? Does one hold up better than the other? And lastly, have you ever added Epsom salt to the receipe?

    Reply

    • Red Ted Art says

      Hello Dana – so sorry, I am not sure which is “better”. The Tartar tends to sink a little, whist the bicarbonate ones float better. I need to still try adding Epsom salt!

      Reply

  16. Nancy says

    Hi there
    I love these bath bombs they look so cute!!
    Just one thing, I was very surprised at how much cream of tartar and bicarbonate this recipe used, as some other websites I read used only a teaspoon or two.
    All the shops near me have only 42g of both of these ingredients, please help!

    Reply

  17. Tanya says

    Big fan! Wanted to ask, when you say ‘cup’ do you mean like 8 ounces/half pint or just fill a cup? Thank you, I LOVE this website!! Also would it be okay to use vanilla extract instead of essential oils? Thanks again, Tanya xx

    Reply

  18. Tanya says

    Hi, me again.
    I wanted to know if you could use vanilla extract instead of essential oils?
    Thanks a bunch, Tanya (and family!)

    Reply

  20. Nancy says

    Hello!
    Your batch of bath bombs turned out lovely, what food colouring did you use (or not any)? Thank you M!

    Nancy xx

    Reply

  21. Emily says

    Amazing, how long do they last if we were to give as an Xmas present? Can we make them months before? Got all my ingredients ready and my children can’t wait to make them. x

    Reply

  22. Carmen says

    I love the idea! Planning to make them at school AND at home. Just wondering how many drops of essential oils are we supposed to add? I’ve been reading a bit about them lately and looks like there’s a proportion that needs to be kept so you don’t damage your skin. Could you help with that? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Red Ted Art says

      Good question! Most essential oils give you a ratio? But always err on the side of caution, I think we added 20 drops or so. Which probably worked out at 2 drops per bath bomb?

      Reply

  23. Suzanne Holt says

    This such a great gift idea – I would think the kids would have fun making them. Thank you for taking the time to respond to the comments – your added insights were helpful. Pinned to my “Gifts Kids Can Make.”

    Reply

  26. Betsy says

    I cannot wait to try this recipe! You said that the bath bombs harden over time. Is it easier to get them out of the ice tray sooner or later? Thank you!

    Reply

  28. Hannah says

    AHHH! Tried these and mine didn’t fizz at all 🙁 any idea what might have gone wrong? On the plus side they look cool and smell delish!

    Reply

  30. Jodie says

    I made these using coconut oil and eucalyptus essential oil. I can’t wait for them to dry so we can try them out during cold and flu season.

    Reply

  32. Louise says

    Fantastic idea will be making them in school for Mother’s Day gifts! Any idea roughly how many the recipe makes?

    Reply

  33. Peter says

    I live in the US and tried this recipe. It worked great up until I put the bomb in the bath and to my 3 year old a dismay, it did not fizz. Any idea why? What’s the ingredient that makes it fizz? Bicarbonate of soda right? I bought baking soda here but have been told it’s the same.

    Reply

    • Red Ted Art says

      Hello, you can recrumble the mixture and start again. I am thinking yes, add a LITTLE more water (not too much – it is a tricky balance). Then pack it in as HARD as you can. Also the they get a LOT HARDER over time. So the longer you leave them in the molds before removing the better!

      Reply

  38. Rebecca says

    I have a jacuzzi tub, and I know that bath bombs can cause the jets / pump to clog, but I was wondering if anyone knows if this recipe is safe to use if I leave out the dried lavender (or any larger particles). Would the other small particles (cream of tartar, baking soda, etc) still clog the jets?

    Reply

  40. Letha Acker says

    My kid always make Fridge magnets all the time. You share lots of great ideas. Now I am thinking to make a homemade gift for my kid.

    Thank you

    Reply

  41. Minakshi bajpai says

    Wow these looks so beautiful and attractive. Its heart shape is so cute and these bath bombs are very interesting for use. Kids will love to do such activities. I will also try if get the material for the same.

    Reply

  42. Jenny Dominic says

    Kids get very exited while the make something for their loved ones. My kid made cookies last week for her dad and she was so exited to make it and show it to her dad. She wanted to take part in every small things. She was not even allowing me to touch any thing in the kitchen except to instruct her what next to do. Kids are very enthusiastic about thing they want to do.

    Reply

  45. Birchi says

    Thanks Maggy for sharing such a good post on Bathing items and bathing furniture specially for kids. I have several customers need kids furniture occasionally and I found this post and tips for my business very useful. Thanks

    Reply

Trackbacks

  9. […] Spoon the mixture into your moulds. If you are using a mould in two halves pile more than you need in each half and press together firmly, brushing away the extra as it squeezes out. Gently unmould your bath bomb and place it in a pie tray to dry. Repeat until all the mixture has been used up. If you are using ice cube trays you can leave your bath bombs in the mould until they are dry and then carefully turn them out.  Maggy at Red Ted Art made some lovely ice cube tray bath bombs without using citric acid – you can see them here. […]

    Reply

  16. […] Bath bombs: Who doesn’t love an excuse for a nice, restorative bath, and if your kids make an give these to adults, you also have an opportunity to teach them about the importance of alone time. Most bath bomb recipes call for citric acid; this one uses cream of tartar instead, so chances are you have most of the ingredients on hand! Via Red Ted Art […]

    Reply

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