Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2013

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While chemistry teachers worldwide try to convince pupils that science is “magical,” bathtime could be the chance to get them interested. Garish, cheap, and ridiculously named, Bandai’s Doki Doki Magic! Bath Powder toys turn the tub into a chemistry set. If getting kids ready for ofuro feels more like a wrestling match than parent-child bonding time, these are the tricks to have up your cuffed sleeve. There are three magic tricks to choose from: The peach-scented pink cup (water doesn’t escape when you turn it upside down), the soda-pop-scented blue paper (pour water onto it and watch it disappear), and the chamomile-scented yellow bottle (water changes color)—are feats of liquid prestidigitation that smell good, too (just don’t eat them).

¥399, available at drugstores, supermarkets and toy shops nationwide.