Giant Bubbles | outdoor bubbles

How to make Giant Bubbles

Giant Bubbles

Plastic bin

String and straw bubble makers

Giant bubble mix

Blowing into the basket

bubbles everywhere!

Your hands are a bubble maker!

Look what I caught!

Bring the straws together to seal the bubble.

Making bubbles is a fun activity that will guarantee smiles for everyone. Giant bubbles with rainbow colors are easy to make using inexpensive household products.   Choose a day that has 40 or more percent humidity and low wind for the longest lasting bubbles. Read on to discover how you can make giant bubbles.

Find a bin. A dishpan or plastic storage box works great.

Create bubble makers. Use 100% cotton string and 2 plastic elbow straws. Put the knot of the string circle inside one of the straws for best results. They can be any size, but you will want them to fit inside your bin pulled taut.

Any plastic object that will hold a film can be used. Examples shown are recycled plastic strawberry baskets and a store bought bubble wand. You can also use part of a milk carton, a plastic juice container with the bottom cut out, or similar type objects.



Mix 1 part regular dishwashing soap with 4 parts water.   One cup of dish soap and four cups water was plenty to fit into my bin.

Pour the soap into the bin first, and rinse out the smaller cup with the water.

Add ¼ cup corn syrup or glycerin. This will make the bubbles stronger so they last longer. Humidity is the biggest factor with how long they last; add a bit more if humidity is low.

Blow into the basket to make giant grape bunch bubbles. Even very young children can be successful with these bubble makers.

Spin around with the basket to fill the air. Little children love to run and chase the beautiful bubbles.

Make a circle with your hands and dip into the solution. Blow gently and watch the bubbles form.

With wet hands you can catch and carry your bubbles.

Dip your string bubble makers into the solution. Holding onto the straws, pull it taut and slowly rise out of the bubble mix, making sure to maintain a film.

Hold the string up high with your back to the wind and the slightest breeze will pull the bubble out. If there is no wind, walk backwards to create the bubble.

Bring the straws together to close off the bubble. You can often create two or three in rapid succession with each dip. This takes a little practice, but once you figure it out it is really easy and fun.

Enjoy your beautiful bubbles! Encourage the science of bubbles by finding the colors of the rainbow in each one. Talk about liquids, surface tension, how films form, and the efficiency of a sphere. Consider the weather and updrafts as you watch the bubbles drift in the breeze. When done, rinse the bubble makers and bin with clean water. Allow the tools to dry and save them for your next bubble event.

Tips:
Choose a spot where the bubble rings won't stain. Wooden decks get slippery if wet and bubbles may leave a temporary ring on ceramic, cars or windows. Hose the area with clean water if there are any concerns.

Encourage the kids to keep the bubble makers in the bubble pan. If dirt or sand gets into the solution it won't work as well.

Always supervise young children when there is liquid in a bin. Even an inch can cause drowning if a baby falls in. Cover or dump the solution if the bubble area is left unattended. Plastic bins are perfect because they come with a lid.

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