I’m so excited to share this calming bath salts for kids DIY with you. It’s been a go-to bathtime staple for my kids for years. This simple recipe has helped them wind down and made our bedtime routine so much easier!
Making these bath salts is simple enough that your kids can help you put them together, which is an added bonus. Not only is it fun, but when the project is complete, they can enjoy taking baths in their homemade concoction!
Erika Bragdon is a Certified Essential Oil Coach from the Essential Oil Institute.
The Best Soothing Essential oils to Use
I know many of you are already avid essential oils users, but maybe haven’t branched out past using the more common oils like lavender, peppermint, or tea tree.
This DIY uses an essential oil that is personally a fairly new one for me – vetiver.
Vetiver is very helpful in many ways, which is why it’s the main essential oil in this calming bath salts recipe. It is a wonderful tool to add to your aromatherapy toolbelt.
Vetiver also has a woodsy smell to it. I opened it and immediately thought that it smelled like Home Depot in a bottle! When you smell it, you’ll know what I mean. But it is very calming and relaxing.
The lavender combines beautifully with the vetiver to give the woodsy smell a nice floral tone that adds to the calming effect of this combination.
For these calming bath salts for kids, I recommend using 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of vetiver. However, if you don’t have those oils on hand, or want to try something else, there are some other scent combinations I recommend!
I have found each of these recipes to work very well in promoting relaxation and calm in my own children (as well as myself!):
- 10 drops of lavender + 5 drops of cedarwood + 5 drops of frankincense
- 10 drops of lavender + 10 drops of roman chamomile
- Sleepyhead blend – premade with lavender, cedarwood, ylang ylang, and more
- Sound Asleep blend – with lavender, marjoram, grapefruit, and more
- Aches and Pains blend – I found this helpful for soothing sore growing muscles or after a hard workout
- Healthy Hero – this blend is designed to help support immunity, so it’s great for winter months or when someone is feeling under the weather
Supplies Needed
Now that you have an idea of some of the best oils to use, here’s what else you’ll need to make these kid-friendly calming bath salts.
- 1 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt
- 1/2 cup of Sea Salt (I like Pink Himalayan for the color, but any sea salt will do.)
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil + 10 drops of vetiver essential oil (or choose from one of the other options listed above)
- Glass jar for storage
(I like 
for the color, but any sea salt will do.)
+ 10 drops of 
for storage
How to Make Calming Bath Salts for Kids
Now that you have your supplies ready, let’s jump into how to make these kid-friendly relaxing bath salts!
First, you’ll need a bowl. Essential oils can sometimes react with plastic, so I highly recommend a glass or stainless steel mixing bowl.
Start by adding 1 & 1/2 cups of Epsom salt, 1/2 cup of sea salt, and 1/3 cup of baking soda to your bowl.
Next, add 10 drops each of lavender and vetiver essential oils. You will only use a small amount in each bath, so the quantity will be safely diluted.
Note: after you’ve tried the bath salts a few times, you may choose to increase the number of drops slightly if you feel additional calming is needed. Just keep in mind that oils are very potent! A little goes a long way.
Now it’s time to mix it up. You will want to use a whisk to mix this up well.
Vetiver is more viscous and thicker than other essential oils, which makes it clump more easily with the dry ingredients. Be sure the clumps are not seen to ensure the oils are spread evenly throughout the batch.
And that’s it! You’ve made your own relaxing bath salts!
Storage + How to Use
These oils will need to be stored in a glass jar with a lid. I like to use a mason jar. Keep the jar somewhere cool and dry like under your bathroom sink (here’s how I organize my bathroom sink cabinet!).
To use this bath salt is simple. When it’s bath time, use one or two tablespoons full and add to your warm bath water. You can do it while the water is running and allow the water to help dissolve the salts. Or, if you forget, you can add it once your bath is full. Just use your hand to stir it around a bit.
Then, let your child relax and enjoy!
Other Ways to Use These Bath Salts
Who said these are just for kids? Moms, I give you the go-ahead to test this on yourself first before you add it to your kids’ bath. 😉
You can also just use the oils on their own. I put on some lavender and vetiver on my feet last night before bed. 20 minutes later, I was totally falling asleep on the couch!
It really is a wonderful calming combination that is great if you are looking to calm your kids or help with a great night’s sleep!
As an added bonus, you may find that these calming bath salts are great for kids with autism. I recommend starting with less essential oils so as not to overwhelm your child with the scent. Hopefully, in time, they’ll love relaxing in a soothing bath.
These bath salts also make an awesome gift for pretty much anyone in your life! Who wouldn’t love a relaxing, peaceful bath before bed?
However you use them, enjoy (and sweet dreams!)
More Ways to Help Children Relax
- DIY Stress Ball for Kids
- How To Make An Essential Oil Diffuser Necklace for Kids
- All Natural Homemade Shampoo for Kids
- Foaming Hand Soap with Essential Oils
Kathleen mark says
I use Himalayan bath salt and its just amazing. It makes my skin so soft and gives such a beautiful glow. It exfoliates the skin and provides essential minerals. I use Himalayan salt in cooking as well. Even I have purchased a Himalayan salt lamp and it is as good as the salt itself.
Abi says
Hello! I want to try this but I have no himalayan salt. Will I need to double the measurement of my epsom salt to replace the himalayan salt? Thank you!
Erika says
No, you can just use epsom salt instead of himalayan.
Mahj says
Hello, if I want to add colour to this to make it more attractive to kids, would mica be a good option? Will it mix well with the dry salts?
Erika says
Hi Mahj, I’m not familiar with mica as a coloring option, but you could try adding some food color to the salts if you want more fun colors.
Ashlee Beard says
Hey there! I am excited about this recipe for my little one during bath time.
I wanted to encourage you with the type of essential oils you are using! The quality brand is so important!
EO’s from the store only have to have 5% of the bottle being the oil, the rest they can add whatever they want.
It’s crazy, because not many people know that! The FDA allowed other companies to put on the label 100% pure, but it’s far from it.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a fun gift to make for friends or to enjoy yourself!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
Kelly says
Hi can i do the blood orange and frank ensense blend in bath salts
Erika says
Yes absolutely. It’s a lovely blend!