Bath Gift Recipes to make with the Kids

Tutorial dedicated to Make Mine Chocolate!   Their website helps to educate those who may be contemplating giving a rabbit as a gift or pet.  You can visit the The Interactive Bun, and learn along with your children at just what is involved in keeping a rabbit at home.  

C H I L D R E N, with the supervision of an adult, can learn and have fun making easy and healthy bath gifts and treats for mothers, friends, sisters, grandmothers, babysitters, teachers, etc.  

Crafting Natural Bath Products & Gifts

General Instructions for all Projects 

♥  Be on the look-out for inexpensive containers for your project; yard sales, dollar stores and flea & farmers markets are all good places to seek these out.  Washing and re-using jars and containers that you already have in your home is even better.  When choosing a glass container, remember to use caution in the bathroom and closely supervise this step of the project, or you may prefer to do it yourself.  

♥  Make sure all items (mixing bowls, utensils, etc.) that will be used for each project are very clean and very dry. 

♥  Have a dishpan filled with warm soapy water to wipe up any spills and to clean as you go along.

♥  Aprons especially for the kids are very helpful, along with a stack of clean hand towels. 

♥  Making natural bath treats does not include the use of food colors and/or personal care dyes, as they are not natural.  Adorn the gifts with colorful labels or use herbs to add color.   Alkanet Root Powder and Beet Root Powder can be used to make a pretty pink color and are easily found at your local herb shop.  Consult with them for assorted herbs that can be used to achieve a variety of colors.

♥  It is good to have gallon size Ziploc freezer bags on hand for when you may be short on time, recipes can be mixed right in them and they help to minimize clean-up.

♥  Do not let a child handle essential oil should the project call for it, this ingredient should be added minimally and only by a responsible adult.

♥  Everyone should begin with clean, dry hands.

♥  No tasting!  Even though some ingredients will be familiar baking ingredients and/or kitchen staples, remind the children that these recipes are for the bath-not the belly.

♥  Below are gift tags you may copy and print or easily make your own using colored or textured papers, decorative edge scissors and hole punches. Punch a hole near the edge of the tag, slip a piece of ribbon, raffia or string through the hole and tie around the neck of the container.  Use the back of the tag to write the product instructions, which are included with all recipes.

♥  The goal is to suggest ingredients that can be sourced locally and/or grown organically, many of which you may already have on hand.  Some recipes will have ingredients that require a trip to a place where you can purchase herbs and/or essential oil, both of which will last you quite some time when used properly.  Crafting creative, simple gifts will make a child feel good, proud and satisfied, pat them on the back, give them a hug and let them know what a great job they did.  Explain that even though the ingredients are basic, they are natural and good for our skin and health.  Please direct any questions to Pennie Mills, Ladies Blend.  Enjoy! 

Easy to make Recipes 

Bath Salts

Salts help to soothe sore muscles, aide in relieving tension and reduce swelling, they also contribute to relaxing the nervous system and eliminating toxins from the body. 

This recipe will make one 4 ounce jar, it is easy to double, triple etc., to make a larger batch. 

Ingredients:

4 ounces Salt - either Epsom Salt or Sea Salt or a blend of the two, both found at grocery & drugstores

1-2 drops of either Lavender  (relaxing), Orange or Lemon (both uplifting) Essential Oil, found at natural/health food stores, herb shops and spa/massage therapy establishments

Directions:

In a mixing bowl (not plastic), add the salts and essential oils, combining them well and mashing with the bottom of the spoon to press out any lumps.

OR

First add salts to a heavy duty large Ziploc freezer bag, add the essential oil to the salts and close the bag.  Mush the ingredients around with your hands, gently squeezing the outside of the bag until well mixed.

Carefully fill a clean and well dried container with the mixture, cap and attach gift tag/product instructions.

Product Instructions: 

Use a few handfuls for each warm bath, soak and relax. 

Chocolate Sugar Scrub

Sugar is gentle and a wonderful ingredient used to slough off dry skin.  Cocoa is rich in minerals, vitamins and adds a decadent color, aroma and texture to natural bath products.

This recipe will make one 2 ounce jar, it is easy to double, triple etc., to make a larger batch. 

Ingredients:

2 ounces Sugar - either Organic, Raw, Brown, White or a combination

1-2 TSP Cocoa Powder

1 TBS light Vegetable Oil 

Directions:

In a mixing bowl add the sugar and cocoa powder, combining them well. Add enough oil to make the mixture moist.

Carefully spoon into a clean and well dried container (a jar with a twist on lid works best), if there is any oil left over, you may top of the jar with it, providing there is ample space.  Cap and attach gift tag/product instructions. 

Product Instructions: 

Use in the shower or bath, apply with hands in a circular motion to soften, condition and exfoliate skin, rinse well.  Product contains oil, a bath mat is suggested.  Contains enough scrub for one complete skin exfoliation. 

Oatmeal Facial 

Oatmeal helps to soften and heal dry skin and aide in other minor skin irritations.  Nutmeg is antiseptic, soothes irritated skin and adds a nice aroma.

This recipe will make one 4 ounce jar, it is easy to double, triple etc., to make a larger batch. 

Ingredients:

4 ounces Oats (oatmeal) - Regular or Organic Oats (readily available in many grocery stores)

pinch of ground Nutmeg 

Directions:

Finely grind the oats in a food processor or coffee grinder, add them to a mixing bowl or Ziploc baggie and add the nutmeg, mix together well.  

Fill a clean and well dried container, cap and attach gift tag/product instructions. 

Product Instructions: 

For soft, smooth skin, mix 1 TBS Oatmeal Facial powder with enough water or milk (regular or soy) to make a paste.  Apply to face and neck, leave on for 5-8 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry.