Make Some DIY Bubble Solution
Make your own DIY bubble solution using dish soap, water, and optional glycerin; blow bubbles, test wands, and explore surface tension safely.
Step-by-step guide to make DIY bubble solution
Step 1
Wash your hands and set your towel or tray on a table to catch spills.
Step 2
Pour 1 cup of water into the large bowl or container.
Step 3
Measure 2 tablespoons of dish soap and slowly add it to the water.
Step 4
If you want stronger bubbles, measure 1 tablespoon of glycerin and add it to the bowl; skip this step if you do not have glycerin.
Step 5
Stir the mixture gently with the spoon for 10–20 seconds to mix without making foam.
Step 6
Let the bubble solution sit quietly for 10 minutes so it gets ready.
Step 7
Make a wand by bending a pipe cleaner into a loop or use a straw or store-bought wand.
Step 8
Dip your wand all the way into the solution and lift it straight up so the loop fills with liquid.
Step 9
Hold the wand steady and blow slowly through the loop to make bubbles.
Step 10
Try a different wand shape or size and make bubbles to see which ones are biggest or last the longest.
Step 11
Wet one fingertip with the solution and gently touch a bubble to feel how the surface holds together safely.
Step 12
Rinse the bowl and wands, dry your towel, and put materials away, then share your finished bubble play and discoveries on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
I don't have glycerin—what can I use instead?
Use 1 tablespoon of light corn syrup added at the glycerin step, or dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar into the 1 cup of water before adding the 2 tablespoons of dish soap as a weaker substitute.
My bubbles pop right away or I get foam—what went wrong?
If you get foam or short-lived bubbles, stir gently only for the recommended 10–20 seconds (to avoid foam), let the solution sit quietly for 10 minutes, and add glycerin or corn syrup to the bowl to strengthen the bubble film.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For toddlers, have an adult measure and pour the 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons of dish soap and give a large looped pipe cleaner or straw wand to dip while supervising the wet fingertip step, and for older kids, let them experiment with different dish soaps, wand shapes/sizes, and sit times to compare results.
How can we make the activity more creative or scientific?
Enhance the activity by adding food coloring to the 1 cup of water, trying different wand shapes or sizes as the instructions suggest, photographing and timing bubble lifespans, and sharing your comparisons and discoveries on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make DIY bubble solution
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Facts about surface tension and bubbles
🧼 A tiny drop of dish soap lowers water's surface tension so bubbles can form easily.
💧 Adding glycerin (or corn syrup) helps bubbles last longer by slowing the film's evaporation.
🎈 Giant soap bubbles can grow several meters wide during bubble shows and festivals.
🔬 Scientists study soap films to explore minimal surfaces and the physics of surface tension.
🫧 Soap bubbles glimmer with rainbow colors because light waves interfere in the thin soap film.
How do I make and use DIY bubble solution at home?
What materials do I need to make bubble solution and wands?
What ages is making bubble solution suitable for?
What are safe practices and tips when kids play with bubble solution?
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