Ages: Preschool through early elementary
Summary: Use dishwashing liquid to make bubbles.
Caution: This activity is safe with adult supervision. Do not store bubble solution — throw away after use.
Bubble Solution:
• 2 litres warm water
• 1/2 cup Ultra Dawn®
• 1 tablespoon glycerin
Combine ingredients and stir well, but do not shake. Glycerin is available at most drug stores and will make your bubbles stronger.
Use wands from existing commercial bubbles. To make giant bubbles, collect plastic lids (or saucers) of various sizes and some drinking straws. Pour the solution into the lids. Place the end of the drinking straw into the solution and gently blow, blow, blow.
To blow a bubble within a bubble, place a small lid in a larger lid. Make sure the bubble solution covers the edges of the smaller lid. First, blow a bubble on the large lid. Then dip your straw in water and push it through the large bubble into the bubble mix of the smaller lid. Carefully blow a small bubble in this lid and remove the straw. Voila!
Bubble Magic
Try the following for some more bubble fun.
• After you blow your bubble, dip your straw in water and poke it into the bubble. Wow! It won’t pop. Wet objects don’t pop bubbles; dry objects do.
• Add a small amount of yellow or red poster or tempera paint to your bubble solution. Ask someone what color the bubbles will be. Now blow the bubbles and watch the multi-colored results. Make sure you have a white or light-colored wall behind you.
Bubble Busters
• Dirt will put an end to the bubble blowing. Use very clean containers.
• Don’t create suds or foam by stirring your bubble mix too much or too quickly.
• Watch for cool, humid days — or find a shady spot. Bubbles like cool air.
