Here are some great ideas for easy soap making for kids:
Easy Homemade Soap Making-
This is an easy to do craft, for kids ages 4 and up. However, because heat and cutting are involved, parental supervision is recommended. These inexpensive yet pretty soap bars, make perfect gifts for teachers, mom, grandma, or anyone special in your kids life, or they are just fun to use!
What you will need:
- Glycerin soap, clear or white (It is important to realize that this only works with glycerin soap, and you should not substitute.)
- Soap dye in colors of your choice
- Soap or candy molds
- Microwave safe liquid measuring cup
- Spoon
- Popsicle stick or coffee stirrer
- Knife (adults only)
Instructions for the project:
If using bars of soap, you should cut them into three pieces. If using purchased glycerin blocks, you can cut off 2-3 pre-measured chunks. You will then put the glycerin soap into a measuring cup, microwave according to package directions (or 20 seconds), then in 10-second intervals until it is completely melted. If you want to make the soap colored, this is the time to add the dye. You should start with adding a few drops and then stirring. If you want the color to be darker, you can than add more dye. When the color is fully dissolved, you can then slowly pour the liquid soap, into the mold. Set molds aside to harden, for at least 45 minutes to an hour. Keep in mind that some soap may harden sooner than others. After the soap has cooled completely, you can pop them out of the molds. If you are finding this difficult, you can place the soap into the freezer for ten minutes and then try again.
Tips:
- If you want a tie dye effect, don’t add the dye until after you have poured white soap into the molds. You can then add random drops of dye into the white soap in the mold, and swirl with a coffee stick or toothpick.
- For multicolored layers, you can pour the first color in, and allow it to cool enough to form a skin (this should take about 5 minutes). Then you can carefully and very slowly, add the second color over that.
- For pastel shades, you should only add only a couple drops of dye. For more bold colors, add more drops.
- You can also have the kids learn about color mixing by creating their own colors.