Family time with bubbles

On a nice summer days, you’ll want to encourage outdoor play!  Bubbles can keep kids of any age entertained for hours.  Sometimes you run out of bubble solution, or you lose the little bubble wants.  

Fear not!  Mary Larsen shares some bubble tips – all with materials that you already have at home.

The World’s Best Bubbles

1 1/2 quarts of water (6 cups)

3/4 cup light corn syrup

2 cups liquid dish soap

Mix water and corn syrup until completely blended. Slowly stir in soap. Will last several weeks in an airtight container.

Bubble Juice Refill Container

Running out of bubble mix can be a bummer, so keep it inside a neasy bubble juice refill container, like a simple plastic lemonade holder with a spout.  Anything with a faucet will work – even old laundry detergent bottles.

Lost your bubble wand – not a problem! You can make bubbles with items from your house.

Your fingers:This is a fun trick you and the kids can practice. Make an "OK" sign with your hand and dunk your finger-thumb circle into the solution. Blow through your hand wand.

Coathanger– just reshape into a big circle  

Straw Bubbles

•  plastic straws 
• Tape
• Tape a bunch of straws together
• Dip in solution
• Experiment with blowing quickly, versus slowly

Big Bubble Wand

• plastic straws 
• cotton string or kitchen string
• shallow container

1.  Take two straws. 

2.  Thread a length of string through the straws.  The size of your string determines the size of your bubbles.  30’’ is a great length ( TIP:  If you're having problems threading the string through the straw, insert the string into one end and suck in on the other end.  You might end up with a mouthful of string, but it pulls it right through!  )

3.  Tie the string so it forms a large loop.  Then, move the knot so it's inside one of the straws.

4.  Take two more straws and insert them to form handles   

5.  Pour your bubble solution into a shallow container.  Submerge the string and straws, then slowly lift up by the handles.  Gently pull apart the handles until the strings are taut, then let the wind or your movement help a big bubble take shape.  It took a few tries to get the hang of it, but the kids loved perfecting their techniques.

Snake Bubbles

- empty plastic bottle

-piece of terry cloth, old washcloth, or a sock

- rubber band

1. Cut the bottom off your plastic bottle and cut your fabric into a circle.

2. put the fabric over the open bottom of your bottle and securing it with the rubber band.

3. Bubble Snake Maker in bubble solution!

4.  Gently blow into the mouth of your bottle.  A slow, gentle stream of air will create a long chain of bubbles.  (Just don't inhale, or you might get a mouthful of bubbles ~ yuck! )

5. You can add colors with food coloring!