How Bath Bombs Can Double As a STEAM Activity

Bath bombs may seem fancy, but they actually employ very concise, kid-friendly science. That’s why when Scholastic asked if I wanted to try out the Klutz: Make Your Own Bath Bombs kit, I knew it was the perfect activity to fill an afternoon.

As the Klutz instruction book in the kit explains, bath bombs fizz because of a chemical reaction between baking soda (or “sodium bicarbonate”) and citric acid. When dropped in water, the two chemicals mix and create a reaction that generates carbon dioxide in the form of lots of tiny bubbles.

The Klutz: Make Your Own Bath Bombs kit includes everything you need to create 12 different colorful bath bombs. It also has a detailed instruction book with pictures of every step in the creation process.

Read on for my review, plus snapshots of our finished results!

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As soon as I pulled out the Klutz: Make Your Own Bath Bombs kit, it sparked my kids’ interests. “I want to make a rainbow ice cream cone with sprinkles,” my daughter announced excitedly. My son, on the other hand, opted for a dolphin bath bomb in a bright shade of green.

First, they mixed measured amounts of hued baking soda to achieve their desired colors. Then, they spooned in the citric acid, which comes in the form of small crystals. After that, they got to use their hands to mix the glycerin in until the mixture was soft enough to be smushed into the molds.

From past Klutz experiences, I know the creators behind these kits go to great lengths to make their activities both fun and educational. My kids loved that they got to be creative while also learning about the science behind bath bombs, and it was really rewarding for them to drop their bath bombs into the tub and see that our “experiment” was successful.

The process was also great practice for them in terms of measuring out ingredients, counting scoops, and mixing colors. It was the perfect mix of STEAM skills, and a unique experience that got them thinking creatively and scientifically.