We discovered the wonders of Ivory soap at Will’s birthday party (it does cool things when you put it in the microwave). It also makes great snowball soaps with hidden toys inside. Lily and I made a bunch to give to friends for Christmas. Here’s what we did.
Step one: shred the soap. We used a food processor, but you could use a cheese grater instead. Four bars filled the food processor bowl to the brim.
Step two: add water and mix. We used about 1/2 cup of water—you want to add just enough for the soap to be easy to squish. Lily loved this part!
Step three: form the soap into a ball and hide a toy inside. Dig a hole in the side with your thumb, then stick a little plastic animal into the hole. I had hoped to use penguins, but I couldn’t find any small enough. I found a plastic tube of small arctic animals (orcas, seals, and white wolves) at Michaels and it worked fine. Re-form the ball, using more soap if necessary. Place the snowballs on a baking sheet and allow to dry completely. Ours took about 24 hours to dry.
If you would like to give the soaps away as gifts, you can pop them into clear cellophane bags, add tags and ribbons, and you’re all set.
I’ve made clear glycerine soaps with toys inside before, but these snowbally ones are brilliant. I’m not sure what a French equivalent of Ivory soap would be? I’ll have a browse in the supermarket next time I’m there. I guess any white soap would do. Another lovely idea, thank you!
Stephanie, I think you’re right and that any white soap should work. It just needs to be shreddable. Lily absolutely loved doing this and the best part is that since it was soap it was easy to clean up!
What a fun and clever idea. Bet you’d never have to ask the kiddos to get washed up more than once. 🙂
That’s always the goal, Michelle!