Clear soap base can be purchased in large blocks to be melted down. This melted soap can be colored, and fragrance added as desired. This melted soap is then poured into soap molds and is known as "melt and pour" soap making.
Melt and pour soap making is great for doing with kids. There are no harmful chemicals to mix, so it is quite safe. You still need to have common sense such as: don't cut yourself with the knife, and don't put your fingers in the hot soap.
Instead of using melt and pour soap, you could make your own soap. This method would be slightly more complicated and would require more adult supervision. Making transparent soap involves more steps than regular cold process soap making.
If using melt and pour soap, first cut the block of soap into pieces and melt it in the top of a double boiler. To add surprises, while the soap is melting, put small toys in the soap molds. Face the toys down in the molds so they will be visible from the top of the soap.
After the soap has melted, you can add scents or fragrances to the soap if you want. Pour your melted soap over the top of the toys into the soap molds. Let the soap cool and harden.
Make sure the soap is completely cooled and hardened before you try popping it out of the mold. If you try getting it out while the soap is still warm, the soap will bend. After removing your soap from the mold, wrap it in clear plastic.
Your soap is now ready to use. Children will love washing their way towards the toy hidden inside the soap. They will think bath time has never been so fun!