Soap making encourages kids to have fun and enjoy hand washing. Making soap is a delightful and easy craft, provided you have the best soap making supplies. Here is a simple tutorial for kids on soap making.
What You Need for Soap Making
- Soap dyes
- Clear soap base
- Small bowl
- Microwave dish
- Plastic soap molds
- Petroleum jelly or vegetable cooking spray
- Pure glycerin soap
- Small trinkets or plastic animals
- Popsicle stick or chopstick
- Essential oils or soap scents
- Spoon
- Knife to make it look good
Instructions
Spray the Plastic Molds
Take the plastic molds and spray the interior with cooking spray. Wipe the excess spray using a paper towel.
Do the same when using petroleum jelly. Use only enough to cover the mold lightly.
Chop Glycerin Soap into Blocks or Cubes
Cutting glycerin soap into small blocks or cubes of around one inch squared makes it easy for them to melt in a microwave. A pre-made base is the best to make soap for kids because it doesn’t contain any chemicals. Making a soap base such as lye from scratch is not safe around kids.
Melt the Glycerin Pieces in a Microwave
Put the small pieces of glycerin in a bowl. Melt them in a microwave for about 90 seconds. The time can be less or more depending on the heat produced by the microwave and the amount of soap.
Be careful not to burn the soap. When the soap starts to boil, it’s a sign that it’s burnt.
Use a thermometer and melt the glycerin pieces under 140 degrees. Start heating for 30 seconds and add an extra 10 seconds each time until the soap has melted entirely.
Add Coloring and Scents
Let your kid add several drops of soap dye and scent to the melted soap. Ask them to stir the dye using a popsicle stick or spoon once they get the desired scent and color. Feel free to play around with the dye to achieve your kids’ desired colors.
Pour the Soap into Molds
Once the pieces are well melted, pour the liquid into molds that your kids choose. An older child or an adult should do the pouring, as the soap will be too hot for younger, less-dexterous hands to manage.
Let the kids take over after pouring soap into molds. Letting them choose a fun shape will make the process more engaging and exciting. Engage them in the selection process, whether you want a unique bar or a traditional one.
Add a Prize!
Place a small toy in the middle when you’ve poured enough soap to fill about half the mold! Make sure to let the soap cool halfway before placing the toy; this prevents the toy from sticking to the side or sinking to the bottom once the project is complete.
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Then pour the rest of the soap into the mold. The toy may float after adding the remaining soap. When this happens, use a toothpick to press the toy into the soap below.
Let It Cool
Put the soap in a fridge to cool for about three hours before taking them out. Or, let the soap harden overnight and pop it out the next morning.
Tips and Tricks
- When making soap with children above eight years old, let them use a blunt knife to cut glycerin into blocks or cubes. This makes the process feel more engaging and demonstrates a level of trust in the child that will make the resulting products all the more rewarding.
- Include different patterns in your soap. Use a toothpick to swirl drops of two or three colors, creating a cool pattern.
- Rinse any cutlery or bowls before putting them in a dishwasher.
Buy Soap Making Supplies from the Best Supplier
Soap making takes several attempts for kids to get perfect. Make sure you have enough supplies for that trial and error! Choose a supplier with a reputation for selling quality soap making supplies.
When you buy soap ingredients, consider shelf-life, ethical standards and stock availability. Prioritize a supplier who sells natural, organic, and ethically-sourced ingredients.