Make Action Figures From Soap

There is no question that once a bar of soap shrinks to a certain size, it becomes nearly impossible to use. Most people throw it out, a few people have methods of getting the most use from that soap, but there is always another option! Turn your soap into action figures for a child's bathtime.

While these might not be the most glamourous toys out there, but kid's imaginations fill in the gaps, and they are toys that are safe for the bath.

I will be making a couple demonstration figures, He-man and an ninja turtle.

Step 1: What You Will Need

OK, Here is what you will need to make you soap action figure:

1. Soap - Can be either new or used scraps. I haven't tried every soap, but generally white soaps work the best, colored soaps should work too, but if you are coloring your soap, the existing colors can cause problems.
2. Moulds - I just used your everyday Play-doh mould. You just want to make sure your mould is a hard mould since the soap will not be liquid.
3. Crayons - To color your soap, non-toxic and non staining.
4. A double boiler - A  pan with water in it, with a sauce pot in it makes a perfect double boiler.
5. A cheese grater - You will not be grating cheese.
6. Rubber Band - or other binder for closing your mould.
7. Large stirring spoon or rubber spatula -  for mixing.
8. A freezer and stovetop.

Step 2: Shred Some Soap

If you are using old soap, make sure it has had a chance to dry out a bit. A little moisture never hurt, but too much and you will have a gloppy mess.

Once you have your soap procured and dry enough, start grating your soap in your pot. You will have shredded soap. Once your soap is shredded, add a teaspoon or so of water if it was already dry, the exact amount will depend on how much soap you used.

Now Turn on the heat and start melting some soap!

Step 3: Now We're Cooking!

With the heat on high, stir your soap, it is going to take a lot of heating! If your soap is not getting a little mushy after a few minutes, add a little more water.

Once the soap has a consistency of lard, you can throw in color. Take the paper off of a coloring crayon of your choice and toss it in the pot. The wax will quickly melt. Stir it in. and you will have your colored soap mush.

The more you stir, the more uniform the color will look. If you don't stir as much, your soap will have a marbled texture like the ninja turtle pictured on the front page. When the color is how you like, you can move on the next step.

Step 4: It's Moulding Time!

Spread your soap into the mould. Make sure to pack it tight to ensure that there won't be too many air bubbles.Also, if you are worried about releasing your soap from the mould, you can put a light coat of cooking oil on your mould before you put in your soap.

Quickly close the mould and hold it tight. Remove all excess soap from the edges. Now clamp the mould tight with your rubber band.

As soon as the mould is tight, throw it in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Your Soap Is Done!

Now just pull your soap out of the mould and you are done! If you want to add a splash of secondary color, lightly heat a crayon tip on the stove and rub it on your figure like I did for the ninja turtle.

Now go take a bath and enjoy your creation! ^_^