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Writer's pictureAdrienne De Luna

Engaging Teens with a DIY Spa Program: Lip Balm, Bath Bombs, and Essential Oil Rollers

*contains affiliate links to help support this blog


Thinking of engaging programs for teens is completely hit or miss. Something is all the rage one day, and the next day, it's no longer bussin' (is that even the term still?). A couple of years ago, we attempted lip balm from one of those kits you can buy on Amazon. FAIL OF THE CENTURY! The beeswax/oil mixture was hardening so fast, we were all yelling and rushing to get them mixed and poured. More ended up on the tables than in the tubes. I got burned, the lip balm was hard. We all laugh about it now, but at the time... big yikes. Learn from my mistake and steer clear of that one!



Program Detail & Set Up:

Fast-forward to some spa recipes that are teen (and librarian) friendly and were all a hit with both boys and girls! We made lip balm, bath bombs, and essential oil rollers. I have found that anything with an ingredient list works best if the supplies are pre-measured or retrieved in an assembly line fashion. So, each item had its table of supplies, and we had separate tables and chairs set up for the kids to sit at.


Lip Balm Supplies:

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly: https://amzn.to/3K3GgYR

Cotton Candy Sugar: https://amzn.to/3QJyjMi

Condiment Cups (2 oz. size for mixing): https://amzn.to/3wb3LMn

Cosmetic Spatulas (to mix): https://amzn.to/4byAyd9



Lip Balm Instructions:

  1. Put a liner in the mini crock and scrape one container of Vaseline into it. Put it on low to melt it. It will take a while, so you must do this in advance (at least 1 1/2-2 hours). Stir periodically to melt it through. Keep on low.

  2. When you're ready to make the lip balm, have the kids grab a 2oz condiment cup. Ladle about 1 1/2 TBS of melted Vaseline into it (it will be hot, so advise them to pick it up by the rim and not the bottom).

  3. Add 1 - 1 1/2 tsp of cotton candy sugar (this flavors and tints the lip balm).

  4. Mix well with the little spatula.

  5. When it is mixed well and cooled enough to handle, use the mini spatula to scrape it into the tin, and it's done!


Bath Bomb Supplies:

Condiment Cups (2 oz. size for the mold. I keep all sizes on hand!): https://amzn.to/3wb3LMn

Mixing Cups (another staple! See my top 10 supply list post!): https://amzn.to/4bd8DQ6

Popsicle Sticks (for mixing - I always have these on hand): https://amzn.to/3UUEK1a

Fractionated Coconut Oil: https://amzn.to/3UDXm4w

Food Coloring (I use this brand for all of my crafts that require it): https://amzn.to/3QMirbQ

Bath Bomb Instructions:

  • 1 mold (clear cup)

  • 4 TBS baking soda

  • 2 TBS epsom salt

  • 2 TBS cornstarch

  • 1 TBS fractionated coconut oil

  • 1/4 tsp water

  • non-toxic coloring

  • 2 TBS citric acid


  1. Dump your dry ingredients into the mixing container. Stir to combine.

  2. Add 1/4 tsp of water, a few drops of food coloring, and the coconut oil in a condiment cup. Stir to combine.

  3. Add the oil mixture to the dry ingredients, SLOWLY! You don't want to dump it in because that will activate the bath bomb! Mix the ingredients for about 2 minutes, or until all ingredients are blended well. The mixture is ready to mold if it clumps like sand when you squeeze it in your hand. If it doesn't, slowly add an additional 1/4 tsp of water and mix to distribute.

  4. Fill a condiment cup (your mold) to the top with the mixture. Press firmly, and allow to dry overnight.

  5. Pop them out of the mold and enjoy!


Rollerball Essential Oil Supplies:

Roller Bottles: https://amzn.to/4aoeaSC

Fractionated Coconut Oil: https://amzn.to/3UDXm4w

Essential Oils: https://amzn.to/3QKClUl

Essential Oil Blend Instructions:

  1. Remove the roller ball from the top of the bottle.

  2. Add drops of your selected essential oil(s)

  3. Top off the bottle with fractionated coconut oil.

  4. Reattach the roller ball to the bottle and put the cap on.

  5. Shake well.


The typical ratio is 20-30 drops of essential oil per 10 ml of carrier oil. However, you can adjust the ratio to your personal preference.


Results:


HUGE hit! The kids all wanted to make more than one, and luckily, I had enough supplies to do so. They still stop in and show me they are using the lip balm they made. In these pictures, for the bath bombs, we packed the mix into mini cauldrons for Halloween (with a spider hidden inside!). We've made the bath bombs multiple times!


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