We continue combining our love of chemistry, Harry Potter and bath bombs with this Ravenclaw House inspired bath bomb recipe! This is a great project to make with the kids or for the kids. I’ve included all the science so you can turn this into a potions class project perfect for your young, curious Ravenclaw.
RAVENCLAW BATH BOMBS
What you will discover in this article!
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I’ve always felt a strong affinity for the Ravenclaw house. I’m pretty sure if my owl had arrived on my 11th birthday (or any birthday… I’m still waiting!), I would have been sorted into Ravenclaw.
It is said Ravenclaw house students favour wit, wisdom and learning. There is nothing more powerful than a lifelong love of learning, so it’s no wonder I love Ravenclaw!
Hogwarts Houses
It occurs to me that I should maybe back up a bit. I assume everyone reading this is a Potterite and well familiar with Hogwarts School and it’s four houses, but maybe this is all brand new to you. If it is, welcome to the world of Harry Potter! It’s magical, special and will capture your heart!
Hogwarts is a school for young Wizards and Witches in the Harry Potter Series. It has four houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Each house has it’s own special traits that are valued in their students. Finding out which house you would be sorted into is always a top desire for Potterites (fans of Harry Potter).
For a fun house sorting bath bomb, try our Sorting Cauldron Bath Bombs!
Once you know your house, you will want to share your house colours with pride! Embrace your house as your home and family. So that’s why this week we have dedicated the week to making a bath bomb inspired by each Hogwarts House.
Potions Lesson (The Science of Bath Bombs)
Now every Ravenclaw has an insatiable desire to understand the “why” behind things. They are always curious and love the process of discovery. That’s why I know all the Ravenclaws out there will love making their own house bath bombs. The science lessons behind this activity are fascinating! Definitely worth of a potions class.
So what is the science behind bath bombs?
Bath bombs are the result of an acid-base reaction. When you mix and acid and a base they will react and produce a gas. What is cool, and that makes bath bombs tick, is that when they are dry ingredients in a solid state, like when you are mixing your bath bomb ingredients, they don’t react.
For the magic to happen you need water. And not just any water will do. You need nice warm water as we discovered in our own little potions class doing a science fair project on bath bombs. Remember in potions it is important to always follow the instructions!
In this bath bomb recipe Citric Acid is our acid and Baking Soda is our base.
Another interesting science lesson in bath bombs involves the role of emulsifiers (polysorbate 80). As any young wizard will tell you, oil and water do not mix. But we can change that with a little magical twist. The addition of emulsifiers makes the oils mix with water, creating a luxurious bath with the colours, oils and scents evenly distributed throughout the water.
If you forget your emulsifier, your bath bomb will still have a spectacular eruption but the resulting oily, clumpy scum on the top of the bath and sticking to you and the tub, will definitely earn you a failing grade in potions.
Ravenclaw House Bath Bomb Recipe
2 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon polysorbate 80
10-20 drops each of cedarwood and peppermint essential oil
Blue mica powder
Silver mica powder
Blue glitter *
Silver glitter *
Stainless steel bath bomb molds
Spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol
1 large mixing bowl
2 small bowls
1 microwave safe bowl or measuring cup
Disposable gloves (optional)
A BIT ABOUT GLITTER
I know many of my readers are attempting to reduce their use of anything that may lead to pollution in our oceans. Glitter is one of those items. If you do not wish to use a cosmetic glitter there are two options. One is a biodegradable glitter which may have fewer colour options but is better for the environment, or you can skip the glitter entirely. I have provided links to both a cosmetic glitter and a biodegradable glitter below.
STEP BY STEP MAKING OF A RAVENCLAW BATH BOMB
Making bath bombs is fun and actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. I know my Ravenclaws will love mastering this Harry Potter bath bomb!
- Mix dry ingredients
In the large bowl combine all of the dry ingredients: baking soda, citric acid and cornstarch. Mix well. If kids are helping with this step, be cautious. Citric acid can be quite an irritant if it becomes airborne. I recommend always making bath bombs in a well ventilated space.
- Mix wet ingredients
Add the coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave in small increments of 15 to 20 seconds. Stirring between each one until it is all liquid. Add the polysorbate 80 and essential oils. Mix well.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix well using your hands. Make sure all the lumps are broken down. Once it is the texture of wet sand and forms when you squish it in your hands it is ready. This will take a few minutes of mixing to evenly disperse the oil mix through the dry.
- Colour the mixture
Divide the mixture evenly between two bowls. In the first bowl add 1 teaspoon of blue mica and 1 teaspoon of blue glitter (if desired). In the other bowl add 1 teaspoon of silver mica and 1 teaspoon of silver glitter. Mix each bowl well with your hands to evenly disperse the colour. If you wish a richer colour add 1/2 teaspoon more of mica and mix well. A little colour goes a long way. So go slow until the desired colour is reached.
- Pack the molds
Now it’s time to form the bath bombs in the molds. Take one side and add about a tablespoon of the first colour. Then add a tablespoon of the other colour. Repeat until you have the first side loosely heaped. Now do the same with the other side. Finally bring the two halves together. Use a grinding motion to allow any extra mix to fall. Then tap the ends of the mold and pop it out.
- Let harden
Let the bath bombs harden in a warm, dry place for approximately 48 hours. The time to harden may vary based on your environment. The most important thing is to ensure humidity levels are low. Humidity in the air will cause the bath bombs to erupt prematurely.
- Add to bath and enjoy!
Now run a nice warm bath, add your Ravenclaw bath bomb and relax, letting your mind wander through a world of wizards and magic!
This is a fantastic project for the Harry Potter fans in your life. Make sure you check out all of our bath bombs inspired by the world of Magic and Hogwarts!
I hope your bath bomb making is magical!
More Harry Potter House Bath bombs!
