Ever wonder why blowing bubbles makes everyone happy, no matter how old they are? This super easy DIY bubble solution is the best recipe, especially if you want to make a big batch of giant bubbles. The secret ingredient isn’t soap; it’s glycerin. But don’t worry, if you don’t have glycerin on hand, we’ve got you covered with ingredient substitutions to try.
Why I Love DIY Bubble Solution
When it comes to homesteading with children, having a daily routine for our kids is key. We value the importance of chore time, but balancing that with playtime is important too.
I especially love activities like fun apple stamping and homemade edible playdough, where my kids can learn and play simultaneously. Bubbles are a classic kids’ activity, but tiny plastic containers that are used once or twice and end up in a landfill go against our efforts to be a zero-waste home.
Not to mention the expense of buying a dozen bottles of what amounts to soapy water! Our kids love bubbles as much as anyone, but as with many things, we’ve found a way we love to make them ourselves.
There are a lot of bubble recipes out there, but this recipe rivals any store-bought solution we have tried, makes great homemade Christmas gifts, and uses ingredients you may already have on hand!
The Science Behind Bubbles
Blowing bubbles is fun and also involves physics and chemistry. The key idea behind bubbles is surface tension. This happens because with the soap mixture, water molecules stick together, making a ‘skin’ or a layer of soap on the water’s surface.
Why do bubbles always look like spheres? The surface tension wants to make the surface area as small as possible, making a sphere the shape with the least surface area for its size.
Bubbles also show off beautiful colors. This is because light gets reflected and bent inside the bubble. The bubble’s thin walls cause light to mix in different ways, making the colors we see.
Next time you make bubbles, think about the amazing science behind them and share the wonder with your children.
Tips for the Best DIY Bubble Solution
Making better bubbles starts with the right mix of ingredients. I’ve learned that the key is a perfect blend of soap, water, and glycerin. Glycerin makes the bubbles last longer and pop less. Here are a few tips to get giant bubbles:
- The Perfect Soap-to-Water Ratio – The best ratio of dish soap to water is 1:4. Too much soap makes mixing hard, and too little makes bubbles burst easily.
- Add Glycerin or Corn Syrup – Adding glycerin or corn syrup strengthens the bubbles. These ingredients help bubbles last longer and impress everyone with their giant size.
- Mixing Techniques – Mix your ingredients gently. Don’t overmix or stir too vigorously to avoid foam. A slow mix creates smooth bubbles.
- Let the Mixture Sit – Let your bubble solution sit for a few hours or overnight. This will allow the ingredients to blend well for the best bubbles.
How to Make Your Own Bubble Wands
In the spirit of DIY, why not make your bubble wands, too? If you already have bubble wands leftover from store-bought bubbles, save and re-use them, but if not, here’s how to make some great bubble tools yourself:
- Pipe Cleaner Wands – Bend pipe cleaners into shapes like hearts, stars, or circles. Then, twist the ends together to make a handle.
- Hanger Wands – Unwind a wire hanger and shape it into big loops (as seen above). The wire’s flexibility lets you make different sized bubble wands.
- Straw and String Wands – Thread a piece of string through two straws and tie them together. Dip the string loop into the bubble solution for big bubbles.
- Other “Wands” – Look around your house for wands that are already pre-made for you, such as slotted spatulas, drinking straws, canning jar rings, plastic funnels, and more!
Bubble Blowing Activities
Simply blowing bubbles can provide hours of fun, but you can extend the enjoyment by devising some creative games to keep the fun going:
- Bubble Tag – Try a fun bubble game called bubble tag. One person is “it” and tags others by popping their bubbles. It’s a great way to have fun and get some exercise.
- Bubble Art – For art lovers, try bubble art. Dip bubble wands in colored DIY bubble solution and blow them onto paper. You can make beautiful art this way. It allows both kids and adults to be creative.
- Biggest Bubble – For a big show, try to see who can get the biggest bubble. Use homemade wands to make the biggest bubbles you can. It is amazing to watch these huge bubbles float in the sun.
- Obstacle Course – Set up a bubble obstacle course for a fun challenge. Go through tunnels and paths without popping your bubble. It’s sure to make everyone laugh and have a great time.
The Homestead Kitchen
This recipe for DIY bubble solution was featured in issue No.23 of the Homestead Kitchen magazine. If you desire a life of self-reliance but find yourself scrolling through social media, watching the lives of others who are fulfilling YOUR dream, then this magazine was designed just for you.
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Supplies and Ingredients Needed
- Half-gallon Mason Jar – This doubles as a mixing and storage container, but if you don’t have one, you can just mix the solution in a bowl and transfer to a bubble container of choice.
- DIY Bubble Wand – See above for clever suggestions on making your bubble wand.
- 4 Cups Water – Make sure your water is warm to allow all the ingredients to dissolve.
- 1 Cup Dish Soap – Learn more surprising uses for dish soap here!
- 3 Tablespoons Glycerin – Glycerin can be easily found online, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can increase the amount of corn syrup or sugar.
- ¼ Cup Corn Syrup or Sugar – We don’t use corn syrup in our cooking recipes, but it comes in handy when making bubbles or this DIY ant killer.
How to Make DIY Bubble Solution
- Pour water, soap, glycerin, and corn syrup or sugar into a half-gallon Mason jar.
- GENTLY mix together. Be careful when mixing your ingredients, or they’ll foam up in a major way! As eager as you may be to get to bubble-blowing, try to take it nice and slow with your mixing, and it will blend up before you know it.
- Place a lid on the jar, and allow it to sit overnight before using.
- To use, pour into baking pans and let the fun begin! This is a great alternative to bottles for tiny kids who dump the whole bottle before they even notice.
Did you make this DIY bubble solution? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see you enjoying your bubbles!
FAQ
The best homemade bubble solution incorporates water, soap, glycerin, and corn syrup.
When picking a soap for bubbles, I found dish soaps with few additives, like scents or lotions, work great. They have the right mix for big, lasting bubbles.
You can use equal parts corn syrup instead of glycerin. It works well for making bubbles.
Let the solution sit overnight for the best bubbles. This lets the ingredients mix well, making stronger bubbles.
If bubbles pop fast, add more glycerin or corn syrup. These help bubbles last longer.
Other Posts You May Enjoy
- Tips for Homesteading With Children
- The Importance of Chore-time for Kids
- Daily Routine for Kids on the Homestead
- Homemade Edible Playdough Recipe | Fun & Safe
- Homemade Christmas Gifts Guide
- Tips for a Zero Waste Home
DIY Bubble Solution
Equipment
- 1 Half-Gallon Mason Jar or other large container
- DIY Bubble Wand see post above for ideas
Ingredients
- 4 cups water warm water works best
- 1 cup dish soap
- 3 Tablespoons glycerin
- 1/4 cup corn syrup or sugar
Instructions
- Pour water, soap, glycerin, and corn syrup or sugar into a half-gallon Mason jar.
- GENTLY mix together. Be careful when mixing your ingredients, or they’ll foam up in a major way! As eager as you may be to get to bubble-blowing, try to take it nice and slow with your mixing, and it will blend up before you know it.
- Place a lid on the jar, and allow it to sit overnight before using.
- To use, pour into baking pans and let the fun begin! This is a great alternative to bottles for tiny kids who dump the whole bottle before they even notice.
Notes
Tips for the Best DIY Bubble Solution
Making better bubbles starts with the right mix of ingredients. I’ve learned that the key is a perfect blend of soap, water, and glycerin. Glycerin makes the bubbles last longer and pop less. Here are a few tips to get giant bubbles:- The Perfect Soap-to-Water Ratio – The best ratio of dish soap to water is 1:4. Too much soap makes mixing hard, and too little makes bubbles burst easily.
- Add Glycerin or Corn Syrup – Adding glycerin or corn syrup strengthens the bubbles. These ingredients help bubbles last longer and impress everyone with their giant size.
- Mixing Techniques – Mix your ingredients gently. Don’t overmix or stir too vigorously to avoid foam. A slow mix creates smooth bubbles.
- Let the Mixture Sit – Let your bubble solution sit for a few hours or overnight. This will allow the ingredients to blend well for the best bubbles.
