It’s time for the Slytherin House bath bomb! We have loved making these Hogwarts House bath bombs so much. Any Harry Potter fan will love the chance to talk about their favourite stories while creating these bath fizzes with fellow fans. Plus it gives young witches and wizards a fascinating potions lesson as they learn the science behind the bath bomb fizz!

Slytherin House Bath Bomb Recipe

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They are cunning, ambitious and proud. Slytherin house has also produced more Dark Wizards than any other house. That doesn’t mean all Slytherin’s are evil, it simply means their drive and ambition needs a little extra guidance to ensure it is always tempered with kindness and empathy. It is only when that empathy is lost that the evil emerges.

Crabbe, Goyle and, of course, Malfoy feature prominently throughout the Harry Potter stories. Malfoy goes on a particularly fascinating journey as he grows and matures, struggling to hang onto his empathy as he is pulled towards the all encompassing allure of power.

Malfoy’s story is one that I think can teach kids so much. There will always be things that will draw us in, that will entice us with amazing promises. Sometimes we can get sucked in and make the wrong decision. But in Malfoy’s journey we also see that we can right those wrongs, learn and do better.

That at the end of the day we can be ambitious, with tremendous drive and pride, but still hang onto our empathy and kindness.

That’s when a Slytherin becomes truly powerful. Like anyone they need to learn how to embrace their strengths and balance them against their weaknesses to find that zone where they thrive.

The Sorting – Which Hogwarts House?

In the very first story we are shown a powerful scene where Harry Potter is being sorted into his Hogwarts House. After hearing how many dark wizards have come from Slytherin, Harry decides he doesn’t want to be in Slytherin. He fears joining that house will make him evil. Just like Volemort, who killed his parents.

He starts chanting, “not Slytherin, not Slytherin”. The Sorting Hat takes Harry’s choice into consideration, saying, “Not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it’s all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that — no? Well, if you’re sure — better be GRYFFINDOR!”

Later on, Harry asks the Sorting Hat again, and the Hat still insists Harry would have done well in Slytherin.

What we learn from Dumbledore later on, is that it is our choices that define who we are.

“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” ~ Albus Dumbledore/

Want to Make Bath Bombs For all The Hogwarts Houses? We’ve Got a REcipe for Each one!

 

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THE POWER OF CHOICES

One of the themes I love most about Harry Potter is this powerful belief in the choices being more important than circumstances.

To make an ethical (or unethical) choice, it can change the arc of someone’s life and how they are judged by others. One choice can change so much.

Even with similar abilities, potential and strengths, choice is the one thing that truly defines the path of one’s life. And can be the deciding point between good and evil.

In one powerful scene Dumbledore is talking to Harry, who is very worried about his similarities to Tom Riddle. But Dumbledore believes completely in Harry’s strength of character and ability to make good choices. He has the utmost faith in Harry’s ability to chose the right path.

The key here is that the accidental circumstances of one’s birth do not determine who you are, or who you will become. You have free will, and an incredible, magical power to make choices, and those choices are what will truly define who you are.

Harry made the choice to not be sorted into Slytherin, but even if he had been sorted into Slytherin, it would have been the choices he made, not his house, that would have determined who he would become in life.

Now that is one incredibly powerful lesson.

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Wondering which house you would be sorted into, why not try making our Sorting Hat Cauldron Bath Bombs?

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POTIONS (SCIENCE) BATH BOMB LESSON

Our severely conflicted potions teacher, Professor Snape, would insist that we turn our bath bomb making projects into a lesson. It fizzes, erupts, smells (amazing), sounds like a potion the Half Blood Prince would be proud of!

Now it might seem like a little bit of magic the way bath bombs erupt in the warm bath water, but it is actually a chemical reaction. When the citric acid and baking soda (the base) are dry they don’t react. They need water to trigger the reaction, which releases CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas, creating our fizzy, bubbly eruption.

Another bit of science in these bath bombs is Polysorbate 80 which acts as an emulsifier. As your witch or wizard can tell you, oil and water do not mix, that is until you add a little bit of magic called an emulsifier. This is a very important ingredient in bath bombs, because without it the oils will float on the top of the bath water and the mica colours will stick to everything, including you. Instead of a nice relaxing bath, you end up creating a big mess. No one wants a bath bomb that creates a mess! So don’t forget the Polysorbate 80 in your bath bomb potion.

SLYTHERIN HARRY POTTER 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 vetiver and lime essential oil
Silver mica powder
Dark Green mica powder
Silver glitter *
Green 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)

To Glitter or Not Glitter?

There are a number of reasons you may love or hate glitter. If you love glitter feel free to use a good quality cosmetic glitter or a biodegradable glitter to be environmentally friendly (something we recommend around here). However, another option is to leave out the glitter entirely from this recipe. The choice is yours.

 

HOW TO MAKE A SLYTHERIN BATH BOMB

In the large bowl combine the dry ingredients – baking soda, citric acid and cornstarch. Mix well.

In the microwave safe container melt the coconut oil in the microwave. Just heat until it becomes liquid. Don’t let it boil.

Add the polysorbate 80 and essential oils to the coconut oil and mix.

Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredient bowl. Mix together well using your hands. Really work it all together and make sure any lumps are broken up. Once it reaches the consistency of wet sand and will hold a shape when you press it with your hand, it is ready.

Divide the mix into the two bowls.

In the first bowl add the silver mica powder and silver glitter (about 1 teaspoon of each to start). Mix it in really well with your hands (you may want to wear gloves for this part). Really work it through until the colour is evenly dispersed.

Repeat the process with the second bowl using the dark green mica powder and green glitter. If the colour is not dark enough for your taste, add some more mica powder, but go slow. A little goes a long way.

Now it’s the exciting moment, packing the molds! We wanted striped bath bombs, so we added the green mix first, about a tablespoon, then the silver, then another layer of green, until the first side was loosely heaped and piled. Then we repeated for the other side of the mold. You want each side to be nicely heaped up. Then carefully bring the two halves and press them together. Twist a bit to have any extra bits fall away. Then tap the ends and carefully pop the bath bomb out of the mold.

Let the bath bombs harden in a warm, dry space for about 48 hours.

To use, simply add to a warm bath and enjoy!

Troubleshooting Bath Bombs

You may run into a few issues making bath bombs, here are a few helpful tips.

Remember moisture is the enemy, it will trigger the reaction. Even humidity in the air can trigger the reaction. Always make bath bombs in a dry climate.

It can be too dry though. We deal with that in the winter here in Canada. If your mix stays dry no matter how much you mix it, add a teaspoon of melted coconut oil and work it through. A little goes a long way, so go slow adding extra oil.

Bath bomb not fizzing. This can happen if your bath bomb is too old. Make sure you use your bath bomb within a month or two to ensure you get the best bath fizzy. Also, protect your bath bomb by storing it in an airtight container.

Difficulty using the molds. Those bath bomb molds are tricky! They definitely require practice. If you find it too hard to use, try using a silicone mold.

Happy Bath Bomb Making!

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