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Have A Blast With Bubbles! DIY Bubble Solution Recipes to Try This Summer
With summer on its way, we’re looking forward to spending lots of time playing and learning outside. There are endless ways to have fun in the sun, but one of our favorites is blowing bubbles! Have you ever tried putting some bubble chemistry to the test and experimenting with different types of bubble solutions? Discovering how various DIY bubble solution formulas make different kinds of bubbles is a fantastic way to promote gross motor skills, practice making scientific observations, engage in sensory play-based learning, and lots more! So, gather your ingredients, put on your bubble-blowing hat, head outside, and get ready to explore science that really pops ! Bubble up!
Basic Bubbles
To get things started, we’ll begin with the most simple bubble solution recipe. It’s a classic for a reason!
2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
1. Carefully combine all the ingredients in a large container.
2. Stir the mixture gently.
3. Let the solution rest for about 15 minutes.
4. Dip your bubble wand in the bubble solution.
5. Move the wand through the air slowly or gently blow on the wand’s opening to create your bubble!
Longer Lasting Bubbles
Let’s try for a stronger, more durable bubble.
2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
1 tablespoon glycerin or corn syrup
1. Carefully combine all the ingredients in a large container.
2. Stir the mixture gently.
3. Let the solution rest for about 1 hour.
4. Dip your bubble wand in the bubble solution.
5. Move the wand through the air slowly or gently blow on the wand’s opening to create your bubble!
Giant Bubble Bonanza
These giant bubbles will make your jaw drop!
2 cups liquid dish soap
1 cup cornstarch
½ cup baking powder
½ cup glycerin or corn syrup
1. Carefully combine all the ingredients in a large container.
2. Stir the mixture gently.
3. Let the solution rest for about 1 hour.
4. Dip your bubble wand in the bubble solution.
5. Move the wand through the air slowly or gently blow on the wand’s opening to create your bubble!
Rainbow Bubble Ballet
Boost your bubbles with some color and create a vibrant bubble display!
2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
Liquid food coloring or washable tempera paint
1. In separate bowls, prepare multiple small portions of the bubble solution without the liquid food coloring or washable tempera paint
2. Add a few drops of different colors of liquid food coloring or washable tempera paint to each bowl.
3. Stir each solution to mix the color in.
4. Let the solution rest for about 15 minutes.
5. Dip your bubble wand in one of the bubble solutions.
6. Move the wand through the air slowly or gently blow on the wand’s opening to create your bubble!
Scented Bubble Symphony
Add another layer to your sensory experience with a splash of your favorite scent!
2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
Scented essential oils or flavored extracts
1. Prepare the bubble solution base by combining the water and dish soap.
2. Add a few drops of the scented essential oil or flavored extract.
3. Stir the mixture slowly to infuse the scent throughout.
4. Let the solution rest for about 15 minutes.
5. Dip your bubble wand in the bubble solution.
6. Move the wand through the air slowly or gently blow on the wand’s opening to create your bubble!
Glow-In-The-Dark Bubble Boogie #1
Ready for a fun twist? These glow-in-the-dark bubbles make for a lot of fun at night!
¼ cup liquid dish soap
2 tablespoons glycerin or corn syrup
2 tablespoons water-based non-toxic glow-in-the-dark paint
Optional: black light or black light flashlight
1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Cover and try to let the mixture sit for 24 hours. If possible, place the solution in sunlight or other bright light source for several hours.
3. Dip your bubble wand in the bubble solution.
4. Move the wand through the air slowly or gently blow on the wand’s opening to create your bubble!
5. When you create your bubbles, try blowing them in front of a black light for the most dramatic effect.
Glow-In-The-Dark Bubble Boogie #2
Another glow-in-the-dark bubble solution recipe!
¼ cup liquid dish soap
2 tablespoons glycerin or corn syrup
1 bright yellow, green, or orange non-toxic highlighter pen (red and blue doesn’t always work that well)
Black light or black light flashlight
1. Pull the yellow spongy ink-soaked part out of your highlighter pen (you will likely need an adult to cut it open with a knife). Put that in a bowl with 1 cup water and let sit for about half an hour.
2. Add the dish soap and glycerin. Mix all the ingredients together.
3. Cover and try to let the mixture sit for 24 hours. If possible, place the solution in sunlight or other bright light source for several hours.
4. Dip your bubble wand in the bubble solution.
5. Move the wand through the air slowly or gently blow on the wand’s opening to create your bubble!
6. When you create your bubbles, try blowing them in front of a black light for the most dramatic effect.
There are lots of other DIY glow-in-the-dark bubble recipes online, so once you’ve tried these solutions you can always put more to the test!
If you’re curious to learn more about the inner workings of bubble science, check out our blog post on the topic here ! Don’t let the fun stop there, try out our Giant Bubbles kit for more play!
Making Bubble Solution
- Liquid hand or dish soap are perhaps the most reliable, and you may have the best success with these.
- Body wash or shampoo may not be quite as sudsy as liquid dish soap, but they’ll work well in a pinch.
- If you’re using laundry detergent, make sure it’s mild and skin safe.
- Add 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of corn syrup to the mixture to make your bubbles thicker, last longer, and even fly higher. Or, use an equal amount of glycerin, gelatin, sugar or cornstarch to achieve the same effect.
- Add 2-3 drops of food coloring to make vibrant, colorful bubbles. Split the soap solution into a few different dishes and pour different food colorings into each to make bubbles of many different colors.
- Add a pinch of glitter, small flower petals, confetti, or other small, lightweight ingredients to make festive and whimsical bubbles.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Making a Bubble Wand
- You might also blow bubbles with fly swatters, plastic slotted spoons, straws, plastic berry baskets, plastic wiffle balls with holes, or even wire egg dying dippers.
- Or, straighten out a wire coat hanger, then bend one end of the wire into a large circle shape and fasten the tip of the circle to the straight part of the wire to form a loop and handle.
- Alternatively, cut off the large bottom of a gallon milk jug to make a simple, hand-held mega bubble blower.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Blowing Bubbles
- If you’re using bubbles with food coloring, be sure not to blow them inside, since they may stain furniture and carpets.
- To make lots of tiny bubbles, get a good amount of solution on the wand and blow with a little extra force.
- Try running with the giant bubble blower to make a larger bubble.
- Stand in a high spot, like at the top of your porch steps, and make a big bubble that floats gently to the ground. It will last longer this way.
- Blow directly into your bubble solution through a straw to make some wacky bubble sculptures in your dish.
- Blow a big bunch of bubbles and challenge your kids to use only a single body part to pop them, like their feet. Or, challenge them to avoid touching any of the bubbles.
- See if you can catch a bubble in your palm without popping it.
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