Simple Fizzy Bath Bombs Challenge
⚠️ Safety Warning
Test on a small skin area first for allergies. Use skin-safe essential oils and food coloring only.
All experiments require adult supervision.
Materials You'll Need
Gather these 8 items before starting
💡 Tip: Check off items as you gather them to stay organized!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these 8 steps carefully
For this simple version, in a large bowl, mix 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup citric acid, and 1/2 cup cornstarch.
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil with a few drops of essential oil.
Add food coloring to the wet mixture and stir well.
Very slowly drizzle the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring constantly.
If the mixture fizzes, you are adding the liquid too fast — slow down!
The mixture should feel like damp sand and hold together when squeezed.
Press firmly into molds or muffin tin cups.
Let dry for 24 hours, then pop out and drop in a bath to watch them fizz!
✅ Remember: Take your time with each step and ask an adult for help if needed!
The Science Behind It 🔬
Bath bombs work through the same acid-base reaction as the baking soda volcano! Citric acid (the acid) and baking soda (the base) are kept separate in dry form — they cannot react without water. When you drop the bath bomb in water, the water dissolves both ingredients, allowing them to react and produce carbon dioxide gas bubbles. The cornstarch slows down the reaction so it fizzes longer instead of all at once. The oils and colors disperse in the warm bath water, making it feel luxurious. This is applied chemistry you can enjoy every day! Engineers apply this knowledge to build everything from spacecraft to medical devices.