Hand rolled soap has been made for centuries, and is easier to make than you think! Your child can learn more about the history of soap as well as rolling up some soap the whole family can use for getting clean. Soap has been around for thousands of years, first referenced in the second century AD! This project will also help you stay healthy, as washing your hands is the best way to fight the common cold!
Grade
Subject
Thank you for your input.
What You Need:
- 4 ounces of glycerin soap
- Small saucepan or glass dish
- Spoon
- Vegetable oil
- Waxed paper
What You Do:
- Invite your child to melt the soap by either microwaving it in a glass bowl until it becomes liquid, or by heating in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
- Once the soap becomes a liquid, have your child remove it from the heat and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
- While waiting, your child can learn more about soap by using the Internet. Encourage your child to use their researching skills to make a list of interesting facts about soap such as different uses for soap, who invented soap, or different ingredients used in making soap.
- Once the soap has cooled enough to be handled and is slightly solid, it's time to get rolling! Invite your child to coat their hands with oil, then use a spoon to scoop a small ball, about the size of a golf ball, into their hands.
- Have them roll the soap into a ball. They can continue scooping and rolling until all the soap mixture has been used. The finished rolled soap balls can cool and set overnight on a sheet of waxed paper.
- Along with creating their own special rolled soap, your child can add additional ingredients to really make their soap unique! When the soap is in a liquid state, they can add 1 teaspoon of peppermint or lavender essential oil for a wonderful scent, or 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal for a bit of texture!
Related learning resources
Soap Science
Science project
Soap Science
This science fair idea project identifies the active ingredients in soap and experiments with the properties of soap.
4th grade
Science project
Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
Activity
Make Your Own Wrapping Paper
Make your own wrapping paper with some materials from around the house. Try to make your own wrapping paper this year for a unique presentation for your gifts.
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make Your Own Marshmallows
Activity
Make Your Own Marshmallows
Make your own marshmallows and mix up some very interesting third grade chemistry lessons while you're at it!
3rd grade
Science
Activity
Ivory Soap Experiment
Science project
Ivory Soap Experiment
In this classic Ivory soap experiment, kids learn what happens to different types of soap in the microwave, and why!
3rd grade
Science
Science project
Make Your Own Comic
Worksheet
Make Your Own Comic
Show your fifth-grader it's possible to make your own comic rather than just read them. He'll work on creative writing while he's at it!
5th grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Make Your Own Picture Frame
Activity
Make Your Own Picture Frame
Make your own picture frame! Show your fourth grader how to construct the an adorable, decorative picture frame for her favorite photo.
4th grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make Your Own Kente Cloth
Activity
Make Your Own Kente Cloth
Celebrate Black History Month by having your child make her own version of a kente cloth after learning what the different colors on a kente cloth symbolize.
3rd grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make Your Own Flag!
Activity
Make Your Own Flag!
Here's a fun activity that will allow your child to express himself by making a flag of his own design, then writing an accompanying story.
3rd grade
Social studies
Activity
Make Your Own Inferences 2
Worksheet
Make Your Own Inferences 2
Use this resource to give your students extra practice making their own inferences based on simple sentences.
2nd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Make Your Own Glass Cleaner
Activity
Make Your Own Glass Cleaner
Making your own glass cleaner is easy, effective and inexpensive!
3rd grade
Science
Activity
Make Your Own Pointillism Self-Portrait
Activity
Make Your Own Pointillism Self-Portrait
Kids learn about pointillism as they make their own self-portrait in the style of famed American artist Chuck Close.
5th grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
Make Your Own Boomerang
Activity
Make Your Own Boomerang
Your child will make a boomerang, which is a flat, curved shape that spins when thrown and often returns to the thrower.
4th grade
Arts & crafts
Activity
See this activity in a set:
Wax On, Wax Off! 8 Wax Crafts