Easy Soap Making For Kids

Little kids do not have to be limited to salt dough crafts. With a little help they can get into the fun of soap making. It is true that making soap with lye is dangerous and not suitable for little kids at all. However, as soap making is fun, there are other safe ways for kids to make soap.

Here's a recipe for glycerin soap that is appropriate for preschoolers and older:

What You Need

• Glycerin soap (either bars or blocks)
• Soap dye
• Soap mold
• Microwave safe container
• Spoon
• Knife

Instructions

1. Cut a bar of glycerin soap into three pieces. If using blocks, cut two or three pre-measured pieces. (Only an adult should do this step.)
2. Place the glycerin soap in the microwave safe container, and microwave for about 20 seconds or according to directions that came with soap blocks. Stir, and continue microwaving 10 seconds at a time until the soap is fully melted.
3. Add soap dye. For pastel colors, use only a few drops. For darker colors, keep adding dye until the desired color is achieved.
4. Pour the soap into the mold and set aside. Allow to harden for an hour.
5. Once soap has hardened and cooled completely, pop it out of the mold. If it is stuck, place it in the freezer for a few minutes and try again.

Tips

• Use caution when removing soap from the microwave, and stir carefully to eliminate air bubbles. Soap that is heated too long or unevenly can erupt out of the container, causing burns.
• If you prefer, you can melt the soap in a double boiler over low to medium heat.
• If you would like a scented soap, you can add a couple of drops of fragrance oil. Just make sure it's safe for use on the skin, and remember that a little bit goes a long way.
• Want a layered bar of soap? Add color to half of the melted soap, pour it into the mold, and let sit for about 5 minutes or until a “skin” forms on top. Then slowly pour the rest of the liquid soap (mixed with another color of soap dye if you like) on top.
• You can make a swirled soap by waiting until you have poured the soap into the mold, adding drops of dye, and swirling with a toothpick.
• To make a simple yet elegant soap on a rope, pour half of the liquid soap into the mold, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and place a strand of beads on top. Then pour the rest of the soap on top of the beads and let cool completely. This makes a wonderful gift!

With Mother's Day coming up, this is an ideal craft to get the kids involved in. Imagine mom's excitement when she receives this Mother's day craft gift on Mother's day. So, get the kids involved in easy soap making for kids.

Camping Craft Ideas for Kids

Most kids find camping a lot of fun, but sometimes they still get bored from time to time. So, these camping crafts will give you, as a parent, some options when that happens. Of course, the same crafts can be used ad home as well. Remember to take lots of photos and then you can use them for scrapbooking. Go to Beginner Scrapbooking Crafts to see about that. This will make it branch out into a whole new life of crafts.

Here are your Camping Crafts Ideas For Kids:

Nature wreath:

If your child is like most, they’ll pick up found treasures while hiking or along the ground near the campsite. Let them keep their treasures; they can create a nature wreath from them. You can plan ahead by bringing a piece of heavy cardboard with you for this craft and cut it in the shape of a wreath.

After your child has found enough pine cones, leaves, rocks or other items to fill their wreath, let them begin gluing the items on the base with thick craft glue. They can place the large items on the wreath first and then put smaller items on. Try to help them fill the empty areas. When the glue has dried completely, they could spray paint it or use a clear paint with glitter.

Film canister first aid kit

It’s a pretty safe bet that while you’re camping someone will get a cut or scrape. This craft will come in handy. Have the supplies ready and your child can make a first aid kit they can carry with them.

The items they’ll need include:

• Ribbon or yarn
• Empty film canister (one for each child)
• Antiseptic wipe
• Small band-aids
• Safety pin
• Piece of wrapped hard candy
• Change for a phone call
• List of important phone numbers

How to do your crafts:

1. Help your child poke a hole in the lid of the film canister and one in the canister itself. 
2. Run the ribbon through both pieces of the film canister and tie a knot in it. 
3. This will enable your child to wear their first aid kit around their neck for easy reach. 
4. Put the first aid items into the canister. 
5. Your child can paint a red cross on the canister if they like.

If you go camping very often, put together a box with craft supplies that goes with you each time. Keep the box stocked with items you know they’ll use such as paper, scissors, glue, glitter, paints and paint brushes, and yarn or ribbon. Your child may also think of other ideas for craft supplies that you could provide. By keeping these materials readily available they will have them each time you go camping as a family.

Children can be funny sometimes. They can be eager to be outdoors but then complain because they’re bored. Using these camping craft ideas for kids can start your creative juices moving, which may allow you to think up other camping crafts for your children to enjoy the next time you go camping.

So, make sure you are prepared when you next go camping and let the kids have a ball with these camping crafts ideas for kids. It may even give you a few moments of peace!