A Science Experiments You Can Gift!

I get emails from the Home School Enrichment Magazine email list and this fun recipe was in their last one:


Science experiments you can use as gifts:

Fizzy Bath Bombs

This science-gift project, when mixed together with water, creates a chemical reaction. Don't be scared: you will not be blowing your grandma up when she uses her bath bombs. The chemical reaction occurs when the combination of citric acid and baking soda gets wet in the bath and forms carbon dioxide. Grandma will see fizzing and bubbling in the tub, but no explosions.

Items Needed:
• 2 tablespoons citric acid (look in canning supplies or health food stores)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Baking soda
• Fragrance oil (optional)
• Food coloring (optional)
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Waxed paper
• Small cup or bowl
What To Do
Mix all the dry ingredients (citric acid, cornstarch, and baking soda) in mixing bowl. Next, in a small cup, mix the oil, fragrance, and coloring together. Slowly mix the liquid into the dry ingredients. Be sure to mix it very well.

Form 1-inch balls and place them on the waxed paper to dry. They should be semi-hard within 2–3 hours. However, let them dry 24–48 hours before placing them in a storage or gift container.
Label the container: "Add two or three to your bath and enjoy!"

This Enrichment Tip was excerpted from the "Give it a Try!" column by Melissa Pinkley in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine.