How to Build a Bubble Wand

Kids can make sparkly handmade bubble wands.

Bubbles lend an air of mystery and wonder to outdoor playtime, as they magically turn soapy water into floating spheres. Make bubble wands in different sizes for small and large bubbles. Embellish your wands to create decorative playthings for outdoor fun. Make bubble wands to give as party favors for hours of entertainment. Tie your decorative wands to a bottle of bubbles and give as gifts to friends and family for fun in the sun.

Things You'll Need

• 16-gauge wire
• Wire cutters
• 26-gauge wire
• Pliers
• Beads

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of 16-gauge wire with wire cutters. An 18-inch length will provide enough length for a standard wand.

2. Create the decorative swirl handle on the wire. Bend the wire with the pliers at a right angle, about 1 inch from one end. Twist this short piece of wire into a swirl, wrapping the tip of the wire loosely around the pliers.

3. Thread three or four large beads onto the opposite end of the wire. Let the beads slide down to the swirl end.

4. Create the bubble circle. Bend the end of the wire slightly at about 8 inches from the swirled end. Form a circle or oval that is about 2 inches in diameter.

5. Wrap the excess wire once around the handle. Slide one of the beads just below this point and twist the wire around it to hold it in place. Twist the wire once more around the handle wire, about 1/2 inch away, and slide another bead just below this twist. Continue this for the remainder of the beads, wrapping the wire to cover the handle. After the last bead is in position, loosely twist the wire around the handle until you reach the decorative, swirled end.

6. Cut off any remaining wire with the wire cutters.

7. Create the web within the dipping end of the wand. Cut a length of 26-gauge wire. Attach one end of the wire anywhere along the bubble circle, twisting it twice to secure it to the wire. Thread several tiny, sparkly beads onto the wire, filling the length of wire. Pull the beaded wire across the bubble circle and twist around the other side to secure. Continue crossing and twisting the beaded wire in a random pattern around the circle to create a web. This web will make several openings through which to blow the bubbles.

8. Twist the end of the wire several times around the frame to secure and cut off the excess.

Tips & Warnings

• Find decorative, faceted beads with holes large enough to fit the wires.

References

• Bella Online: Beadwork Site; How to Make Bubble Wands; Shala Kerrigan; 2011
• Creative Kids at Home: Bubble Wands