How to Make Bath Bombs

Homemade bath bombs are fun and easy to make! You can add options like dried flowers or herbs, essential oils, and colors to really customize your bath bombs. 

Why this project is so fun

This is a pretty easy project for young kids with some supervision. Spark their imagination by letting them help measure and mix, fill the molds, and decide on colors and fragrance.

It’s a perfect project for tweens and teens to create on their own, or for adults to make as gifts for the holidays or birthdays!

Basically, you can add in whatever extra flair you’d like to these bath bombs. When they are done, add 1 (or 2 depending on the size of the bath bombs) to a warm bath and sit back and relax, or make a batch to give as gifts. Pair them with some Orange Bath Salts or Peppermint Bath Salts for an extra relaxing gift.

Supplies You Will Need:

Note: These ingredients make enough for 3-4 round bath bombs or 12-14 smaller squares.

Get full list of supplies and directions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Craft Information

• Age level: 5 and up
• Mess factor: medium
• Time to complete: 30 minutes plus dry time
• Cost estimate: 50 cents each depending on size

How to Make Bath Bombs

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!

1. Combine the baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt, and cornstarch together in a medium-size bowl. Use a whisk or fork to stir together and remove any lumps. If adding dried flowers or herbs, add them in this step.

2. In a small glass jar or bowl, stir together melted coconut oil and water.
3. If coloring your bath bombs, add 1-2 drops of soap coloring to the wet ingredients and stir.
4. If adding essential oils, add 1-3 drops during this step.

5. Slowly (and I mean slowly!) pour the wet mixture in with the dry mixture, whisking as you go. If you see the mixture fizz or foam, you may be adding the liquid too quickly. Just slow down adding the wet mixture.

6. Once the wet ingredients are combined with the dry, take a small amount in your hand and squeeze it together. It should stick together in maybe 1-2 pieces. If it’s still too powdery to hold together, just slowly add a tiny bit more water and try squeezing it again.

Molding With 2-Sided Molds

Tightly pack each half of your two-sided mold with the mixture until it’s just overflowing a little. Press the mold pieces together, then gently remove one side of the mold. Place the bath bomb on a tray and allow to dry out before removing the other side (about an hour). The key here is be gentle in the un-molding process!

Molding with Silicone Ice Cube Tray

Tightly pack the bomb mixture into the silicone ice cube tray slots, smooth and flatten the top. Let set for about 10 minutes and then carefully turn the tray over and un-mold the bath bombs onto a baking sheet with a gentle tap to the top of each shape. As mentioned above, the key is to be gentle in the un-molding process!

Once your bath bombs are un-molded and on a baking sheet, they should dry at least 8 hours or overnight.

Once the bath bombs are totally dry, store in a glass jar. These make great gifts!

Craft Tips

• For alternate bath bomb molds, you can use plastic fillable Easter eggs, a silicone ice cube tray, or take a look around your recycling bin! You want something that is a little flexible. Do not use plastic ice cube trays, as the bombs may break apart when removing.
• To make a bath bomb with 2 different colored sides: after step 2, split the wet and dry ingredients in half so you have 2 evenly measured bowls of dry and 2 evenly measured jars of wet ingredients. Add 1-2 drops of 1 color to 1 wet mixture and 1-2 drops of a different color to the 2nd wet mixture. Following step 4-5 below and then Fill 1 side of  2 piece mold with one color, and the other side gets the filled with 2nd color and then follow step 6 forward.
• In case a bath bomb cracks while removing it from a mold, go back to step 6 and start the molding process again. If needed, add a tiny bit of water to remix ingredients.
• If your Epsom salts already have a fragrance, you can skip adding the essential oils.
• If you are making as gifts, keep in mind that people may be sensitive or allergic to different ingredients.

More DIY Gift Ideas

• Lavender Sugar Scrub
• Orange Bath Salts
• Peppermint Bath Salts
• DIY Dried Lavender Candles
• Decorative Confetti Heart Soaps
• Snowman Soaps
• How To Make Herbal Sachets

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5 from 1 vote

How To Make Bath Bombs

Learn how to make bath bombs at home. Homemade bath bombs are easy to make and are great for DIY gift giving.

Crafting Time30 mins

Dry Time8 hrs

Total Time8 hrs 30 mins

Age Group: Adult Crafts, Kids Crafts

Project Type: Crafts

Makes: 3 round bath bombs

Supplies

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup citric acid
• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 1/2 cup Corn Starch
• 2 1/2 Tbsp coconut oil Melted
• 3/4 Tbsp water
• 12-15 drops essental oils
• Bath Bomb molds see notes under craft tips
• Optional: Food grade dried lavender flowers or fresh rosemary
• Liquid coloring for soap

Craft tools

• Medium size mixing bowl
• Small glass jar
• Spoon
• Whisk or fork
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Baking sheet with sides

Instructions

• Combine the dry ingredients together in medium size bowl. Use the whisk or fork to stir together and remove any lumps. If adding dried flowers or herbs, add them in this step.
  
• In the small glass jar, stir together the wet ingredients.
  
• If coloring your bath bombs, now add 1-2 drops of coloring to the wet ingredients and stir.
• Slowly (and I mean slowly!) pour the wet mixture in with the dry mixture, whisking as you go. If you see the mixture fizz or foam, you may be adding the liquid too quickly. Just slow down adding the wet mixture.
  
• Once the wet ingredients are combined with the dry, take a small amount in your hand and squeeze it together. It should stick together in maybe 1 -2 pieces. If it’s still too powdery to hold together, just slowly add a tiny bit more water and try squeezing it again.
  

Molding With 2 Sided Molds

• Tightly pack each half of your mold with the mixture until it’s just overflowing a little. Press the mold pieces together, then gently remove one side of the mold. Place the bath bomb on a tray and allow to dry out before removing the other side (about an hour). The key here is be gentle in the un-molding process!

  

Molding With Silicone Ice Cube Tray

• Tightly pack the bomb mixture into the molds, smooth and flatten the top. Let set for about 10 minutes and then carefully turn tray over and un-mold the bath bombs onto a baking sheet with a gentle tap to the top of each shape. As mentioned above, the key is to be gentle in the un-molding process!
• Once your bath bombs are un-molded and on a baking sheet, they should dry at least 8 hours or overnight.
  
• Once the bath bombs are totally dry, store in a glass jar. These make great gifts!
  

Expert Tips & FAQs

• For Bath Bomb molds, you can use plastic fillable Easter eggs, a silicone ice cube tray or take a look around your recycle bin! You want something that is a little flexible. Do not use plastic ice cube trays, as the bombs may break apart when removing.
• To make a bath bomb with 2 different colored sides: after step 2, split the wet and dry ingredients in half so you have 2 evenly measured bowls of dry and 2 evenly measured jars of wet ingredients. Add 1-2 drops of 1 color to 1 wet mixture and 1-2 drops of a different color to the 2nd wet mixture. Following step 4-5 below and then fill 1 side of 2 piece mold with one color, and the other side gets the filled with 2nd color and then follow step 6 forward.
• In case a bath bomb cracks while being removed from a mold, go back to step 6 and start the molding process again. If needed, add a tiny bit of water to remix ingredients.
• If your epsom salts already have a fragrance, you can skip adding the essential oils.
• If you are making as gifts, keep in mind that people may be sensitive or allergic to different ingredients.
• These ingredients make enough for 3-4 large (6 cm) diameter bath bombs or 12-14 smaller squares.