Bubbles fascinate both children and adults with their beautiful shape and colors. With simple materials, you can become a giant bubble engineer and create mesmerizing bubbles that connect both art and science.
We believe that playful experiences such as making bubbles provide important opportunities for learning. By making your own giant bubble wand and bubble solution, families can learn together about surface tension, minimal surface structures and make really really BIG bubbles!
Asking questions helps build connections and literacy skills . Here are some examples of questions you can ask as you create your GIANT bubbles?
- What are bubbles made of?
- Why do bubbles pop?
- Why are bubbles multi-colored?
- How can you change the shape of the bubble?
- How can you make the bubble last longer?
- What does glycerine in the bubble solution do?
To make a giant bubble wand and solution, follow the instructions below. (Photos will be uploaded shortly.)
Make a Giant Bubble Wand
Materials needed:
- (2) wooden dowels for handles (We used 3/8" x 12". You can even use 2 thicker sticks)
- (2) metal eye bolts to secure string onto dowels ( We used 1" screw hooks, push pins can also work)
- (1) metal washer (used as a weight for your bubble)
- 8 ft of thicker cotton string/rope cut in two pieces, 3 ft and 5 ft. (We used 3mm Braided cotton cord but you can go thicker)
- A nail or drill with a bit a little smaller than your eye bolt to make a starter hole at the end of the dowels
1) To start, use a nail or drill to make a hole at one end of each dowel.
2) Next screw in the eye bolts or push in the push pins, using the holes you started in step 1.
3) Match the ends of the 3 ft and 5 ft rope and thread it through one of the eye bolts and tie off to the bolt.
4) Next thread the washer through the 3ft rope.
5) Match the remaining ends of the two ropes and thread through the second eye bolt and tie off.
You now have a GIANT bubble wand!
Make Your Own Giant Bubble Solution
Mix the following ingredients in a small plastic container or bucket. We used a 5 gallon bucket and scaled solution up to 2 gallons of water for the event.
- 6 cups of distilled water (tap water will work but distilled better)
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 1/2 cup of Dawn liquid dishsoap
- 1 TBSP baking powder
- 1 TBSP Glycerine
- Wooden spoon or long stick for stirring
1) Add water to the container and mix in corn starch. Stir gently to make sure all corn starch is dissolved.
2) Next mix in the remaining ingredients slowly so as not to form a lot of froth.
3) Let solution stand for 1 hour. Now you are ready to make bubbles!
4) Dip your wand in bubble solution, lift out and pull through the air slowly. Be sure your strings are not tangled before dipping in solution.