Bubble Bath for Pennies

During the winter months it can be difficult to find things to keep children busy while stuck indoors on those chilly days. One of our favorite indoor activities is a bubble bath. It entertains the kids for an hour or two while keeping them warm and toasty. (An added tip is to put a space heater in the bathroom, being sure to place it far away from the water, to keep the small room warm while you turn down your furnace and save a few pennies on those super chilly days!)

Because we tend to do a lot of bubble baths, I am not a fan of purchasing those high price bubbles from the store. Instead, I make my own! It is super simple and very frugal. Not to mention, it allows you to control exactly what your children will be soaking in for a couple of hours.

All you need are:

• 1/2 c. shampoo (any kind will do, so select your favorite or most frugal brand)
• 3/4 c. water
• 1/4 t. salt

In a bowl, gently stir together the shampoo and water until combined. Make sure you do not stir too vigorously or you will create bubbles a little prematurely. Next, add the salt and stir until the mixture is slightly thickened. Pour into a bottle.

I find that 2 to 3 tablespoonfuls of the solution added to a filling bathtub makes the perfect amount of bubbles to keep the kids content. If your children have sensitive or dry skin, I highly recommend using a tea tree oil or oatmeal based shampoo. Then the bubble bath will double as a skin soother.

Enjoy the fun, savings and warmth this simple recipe has to offer!

For more great homemaking tips and recipes, check out: Marriage From Scratch, Life As Mom, and Nifty Thrifty Things.