Making gelatin soap is a fun kid maker project with a practical result: soap in fun shapes you can use at home and give as gifts. With simple ingredients such as liquid soap, salt, and gelatin, you can mix up a batch and pour it to set in just a couple of hours. Get creative with colors, scents, and different mold shapes, or mold a flat layer of soap and cut it into a variety of shapes using cookie cutters. To take it a step further, learn about how to make your own molds using common household items at www.makeshopshow.com.
Watch this how-to video, then scroll down for a list of materials, tools, steps, and tips for making your own soap with your kids today.
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Difficulty: Medium
Time: 3-4 hours (2-3 hours in the refrigerator)
Note: Adult Mentor Required
Materials:
• 1 pkg. unflavored gelatin
• 1 tsp. table salt
• 1/2 cup liquid soap (e.g. Johnson's baby wash, Dr. Brunner's, or you can make your own using a recipe such as the one here: www.savvyhousekeeping.com/how-to-turn-a-bar-of-soap-into-liquid-hand-soap)
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• Optional: food coloring or fragrance (just a few drops of each)
Tools:
• Large mixing bowl
• Small mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• Fork/whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Funnel, pipette, or baster
• Molds, such as ice cube trays, decorative food molds, or cookie trays (for cutting custom shapes using cookie cutters and other items)
Directions:
Step 1: Open the Gelatin
Put gelatin into the large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Boil Water
After water has started to boil, carefully measure out 3/4 cup and add to the small mixing bowl.
Step 3: Make Salt Water
Stir salt into the water until completely dissolved (a minute or two).
Step 4: Mix Water and Gelatin
Add the salty water to the large mixing bowl. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved (a minute or two).
Step 5: Add Soap
Pour soap into the water/gelatin mix. Stir thoroughly.
Step 6: Personalize Your Soap
Mix in color and/or scent.
Step 7: Mold Your Soap
Using the funnel, pipette, or baster, pour or squeeze the mixture into your molds. If using a cookie sheet, pour onto the sheet to a depth of at least ¼ inch.
Step 8: Let It Set
Refrigerate for at least 1.5 hours.
Step 9: Demold
Remove soap from the molds. If you are using a cookie sheet, cut soap shapes using cookie cutters, glasses, and other items. Stay clean and enjoy!
Tips:
• Mix the water and gelatin thoroughly. You must mix out all of the lumps to make a smooth soap texture.
• Press the mold gently and peel it back a little to get the soap out.
Learning Benefits:
• Logic and Reasoning
• Problem Solving
• Colors
• Listening and Speaking
• Measurement
• Fine Motor Skills
• Hand-Eye Coordination
• Cooperation
• Following Directions
• Responsibility
• Observation
• Experimentation