This is a program we repeat quite often. It's inexpensive and can be adjusted to various holidays and ages, even up to adults. The ability of kids to experiment and even make mistakes is so enlightening! When things go awry, we just say "hashtag, science!"
Type: Active
Age: Middle school
Optimal size: 6-10
Estimated cost: $51 - $100
Planning time: <1 hour
Frequency: One-time
Learning outcomes
1. We want the kids to enjoy getting messy, and see that chemistry is in everyday items.
2. Kids can learn how those high-priced lush bath bombs are made.
3. They learn to make a "product" they can use.
4. Help each other with their mixtures and share techniques.
5. Create and design packaging.
Instructions
I start by talking about bath bombs and the chemistry behind them. (I made fliers with the info and recipe to take home.)
We go over the ingredients and the instructions and most importantly, prepare the participants for things to get messy and possibly go wrong. We discuss the other uses for the ingredients (ie. cleaning with baking soda etc.)
You need a large bowl for each, the ingredients, a whisk, a sifter, spray bottle, gloves if requested, stainless steel molds from amazon.
Ingredients include
Ingredients
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup Epsom salt
1/2 cup citric acid
1/2 cornstarch
up to 2 tsp of water
essential oils: Approximately 20 drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, and lemon (any combination of these would work)
Instructions
Combine/sift together dry ingredients and mix well until combined.
Spray or drop small amounts water into the mix and stir until you get the consistency of slightly wet sand. Add coloring or oils.
Mixture should hold together when squeezed without crumbling but should not appear wet at all. You may need to add slightly more water if it hasn’t achieved this consistency yet.
Quickly push mixture into molds.
When dry, remove and store in airtight container.
It takes a lot of practice to get the consistency just right. So definitely do a practice round before the actual day. It's fun to see what happens to the molds that start to bubble or melt. You can always just toss them in a bowl of water and see how it works as well. Sometimes half the product goes in the "tub" because its so fun. As we say "#science!"
I purchase boxes and bags for the kids to decorate. This takes a good hour.
Evaluation
As long as you remain flexible and explain the products may fail at first try, it can be treated more like a STEM program.
Keep an eye on the spritzing, as too much water ruins them.
Have a lot of the ingredients as you may have to make more than one batch.
Have the decorating bag station at another table.
Stainless steel molds work better than silicone.
We've had full-houses (for us that means 12) at these programs.