How to Make Homemade Bubbles for Kids

Save and reuse your old bubble wands or make your own.

Blowing bubbles is a favorite summer activity, and no matter how many times they try it out, kids never seem to get bored chasing bubbles. Most store-bought bubble solutions are essentially dish soap, so they're very easy to re-create at home. Bubble wands are also easy to construct, and testing out different materials to see which make the best bubbles is a fun way to get kids to think creatively.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Dish soap
• Corn syrup or sugar (optional)
• Plastic container with lid
• Leftover bubble wands
• Pipe cleaners, plastic lids or wire coat hangers (optional)

Instructions

Mixing the Bubbles

1. Mix 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons nontoxic, non-irritating dish soap in a bowl. Let it sit overnight for best results.

2. Pour the mixture into a shallow container that will allow easy access for children to dip their wands.

3. To make a batch big enough to create "monster" bubbles, increase the amount of water to 3 cups and the amount of dish soap to 1 cup. Add either 1/4 cup corn syrup or 2 teaspoons of sugar. Mix well and let the solution sit overnight.

Making Bubble Wands

1. Bend pipe cleaners to mimic classic bubble wands. Curve one end over and wrap it tightly around the straight part of the wand.

2. Cut a hole in the middle of a discarded plastic lid, like the thin and flexible ones on butter and margarine tubs.

3. Look through the recyclables for other items that might work. The plastic rings that hold together soda cans and the plastic baskets that hold produce like strawberries are two examples of classic DIY bubble wands.

4. Bend an old wire coat hanger into a more circular shape to create monster bubbles.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow children to make their own wands if you have no other bubble wands available. Be creative with what you use. You can use anything from plastic butter lids to pipe cleaners! Have fun with your child!

• Have contests with kids to see who can get the biggest bubble. They'll love it!

• Dish soap will leave a sticky residue wherever the bubbles land, so confine bubble-blowing to the yard or to an easy-to-clean room like the bathroom.

References

• "Free Stuff for Baby!"; Sue M. Hannah
• "The Everything Green Baby Book"; Jenn Savedge