pink bath salts in a glass jar

If it’s one thing kids of all ages love to do, it’s take a bath. Baths are relaxing, fun, soothing, and provide a way to escape it all for just a little while. You may have been using bubbles as a way to make bath time fun for your child, but have you tried bath salts instead? Sea salt and Epsom salt – both key ingredients in most bath salt recipes – contain healing properties that can soothe and heal rashes as well as provide comfort and pain relief.

In addition to salts, essential oils can be contained in bath salts, such as lemongrass, peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary, and orange. Finally, soap colorant and food dye can be used to add pretty hues to the finished product.

There are many kid-friendly bath salt recipes to try. Here are a few.

Bubblegum Bath Salt

You can make this with your own kids, or make a few extra jars and give them as gifts to their friends. What kid doesn’t like the smell of bubblegum?

For bubblegum bath salt, you will need:

  • ½ cup Epsom salt
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 10 Drops Neon Pink Food Coloring
  • 8 Drops Bubble Gum Fragrance Oil
  • Plastic Pipette
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups

Directions:

  • Measure 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and two teaspoons of baking soda, combining them in a bowl.
  • Add the bubblegum fragrance oil with the plastic pipette, blending well.
  • Add food coloring to reach your desired shade.
  • Stir together or add to a plastic baggy and mash it all together.
  • Place a few scoops in a warm bath and it’s time to soak!
  • Store leftovers into an airtight container for later.

Best part is, if you want to switch up the scent, you can try any other essential oil and use this basic recipe.

Sensory Bath Salts

Making bath salts can be a sensory experience for kids. For this recipe, you will need:

  • 3/4 Cup Epsom Salt
  • 1/2 Cup Coarse Sea Salt
  • 1/4 Cup Bi-Carb Soda
  • Few drops food coloring
  • 10 drops of any essential oil, such as lavender
  • Measuring cups, spoons, and bowls
  • Small mason jars
  • Ribbons and tags

This recipe will produce a couple of small jars or one medium jar. If you wish to give some out as gifts, double the recipe.

Directions:

  • Measure and add the dry ingredients to your bowl, mixing well.
  • Add the food coloring, but don’t go overboard or else you’ll end up with a gooey substance.
  • Add the essential fragrance oils.
  • Encourage your kids to put their hands in the bowl and start squishing and mixing. Ask them what they smell, how the mixture feels, and what colors are produced.
  • Fill the jars with the mixture. For toddlers, make sure you use wide mouth jars to accommodate their little fingers and fine motor skills. This step will work on hand-eye coordination.
  • Add the lids and some ribbon around the top with tags if you’re giving as gifts. You can write simple directions on the tag, such as “Sprinkle a small handful of these bath salts into a warm bath and relax”.

Bath Salts For Aches and Pains, and Sleepy Time

If your child has sore muscles or is having a hard time getting to sleep, try this bath salt recipe.

You will need:

  • 1 cup Epsom salt
  • 1 cup bicarb soda
  • 1 cup Dead Sea Salt
  • 5 drops peppermint oil
  • 5 drops cypress oil
  • 5 drops lavender oil
  • 5 drops cinnamon oil
  • 5 drops Marjoram oil
  • 5 drops Eucalyptus oil
  • 2 T lavender buds
  • Crushed Rose Petals

Directions:

  1. Mix the Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt, and bicarb soda in a big bowl.
  2. Add essential oils, mixing well.
  3. Stir in lavender buds and rose petals.
  4. Store in air-tight containers, or add to mason jars with ribbons if giving as gifts. Even test tubes work well.
  5. Use one cup of bath salts per bath.
  6. This recipes is enough for three baths.

The magnesium in Epsom salts has been known to relieve muscle soreness, while sulfates flush out toxins and heavy metals from the body. Epsom salt baths also reduce stress and add a mood-elevating chemical to promote relaxation. Finally, the magnesium helps the brain to produce neurotransmitters that are designed to encourage sleep while reducing stress, while also helping the body produce melatonin (this is a hormone that encourages sleep). Try this bath salt recipe before bedtime and see how relaxed your kids are!

Schedule a Tour of Country Home Learning Center Today

Country Home Learning Center has been providing quality child care and education in San Antonio, Texas and Austin, Texas since 1982. With age-divided classes and small group sizes, we offer an innovative yet comprehensive educational program in a state-of-the-art facility. Why not come in for a tour today? Contact us now to learn more about our program.