We use a slightly fancier blend of ingredients, but this is a good inexpensive treat.

You will need a big (2lb) bag of: Epsom Salts & a box of cornstarch

You can add color and scent.

Just pour into a big bowl that won't absorb oils and color, like glass or metal. (You can use a ziplock for kid's project.)

Color should be added first.

For 2 C of salts, you will want 5-10 drops of color. Think about how much color it will take to change a whole tub of water versus just coloring the salts. Mix well, I like to use my hands or a big wooden spoon (again it will stain though, so if metal is better for mess control). Squish the color around until it is absorbed into the salt.

Now, Scent.

Scent can now be added to your mix. If you have access to fragrance oils, you can really generate a heavily scented product using 1 T of scent. Again thing about how much scent you will need to fill the bathroom and tub not the jar.

For essential oils, I would normally add between 1 teaspoon & 2 teaspoons if it's a mild to medium scent like lavender. For citrus, you would only need 1 teaspoon or 12-16 drops as the scent travels more quickly. With calming quiet scents like chamomile, you need to add about double that amount.

Preserve (you can skip this if you are going to use the product within a month or so)

If you think it might take a little while to use the salts, use about a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin for each cup to help preserve the scent. Just give the whole bowl another big mix. This is the only part that might pose a challenge. sometimes it makes things want to clump a little bit. just break it up again.

Add cornstarch

Now, thicken with cornstarch. Add about 1/4 Cup of cornstarch to each 1C of salts you are making. They will make your bath water texture change and become thick and heavy. (You could add powdered non fat milk if you want to add moisutizing and bubbling agents.) The cornstarch also helps clean up the tub by drying up and turning to a powdery residue any oils.

Package up!

For bath salts, it's all about the packaging. Any big clear glass container will be lovely. (Plastic will tend to get a little "burned" or frosted look).

Note: You want to avoid using much peppermint in bath products - it is very very cooling and a little goes a long way. Cinnamon can sometimes burn skin, so again a couple drops would be all you would want to add to bath or body product.