Have you ever blown bubbles?
I bet you have blown bubbles with a bubble wand and bubble soap. You may have even blown bubbles in your milk or juice.
Did you know there is some very interesting science behind bubbles? There are lots of discoveries to make about bubbles.
I bet you have blown bubbles with a bubble wand and bubble soap. You may have even blown bubbles in your milk or juice.
Did you know there is some very interesting science behind bubbles? There are lots of discoveries to make about bubbles.
For this experiment, your Science Buddy will help you make bubble soap for you to experiment with. This is super long lasting bubble soap and better than the soap you can get in the store. You will explore different types of bubble makers and try to make bubbles of different shapes.
This experiment is based on the Science NetLinks Summer Learning Activity: Making Bubbles.
Things you Need to get and Assemble
For the Bubble Mix
For Blowing Bubbles
Science Buddies background information and detailed directions can be found HERE. Please note these are for Adult Science Buddies Only to help guide the activity, set up the experiment, and safety guidelines. Please remember to be safe!
Things to Do and Notice
Make your Bubble Mix.
Make a Bubble Wand
Make a Bubble Launcher
For the Bubble Mix
- about 1 cup (250 ml) of Joy® or Dawn® liquid dishwashing liquid soap (these brands produce
more durable bubbles) - about 1 gallon (4 L) of warm water
- a clean bucket in which to mix the soap solution
- about ¼ cup (50 ml) of glycerine (This can be purchased at most pharmacies. You may need to ask for it.)
- deep tray or square container that can hold a straw lengthwise.
For Blowing Bubbles
- For a Bubble Wand: pipe cleaners
- For a Bubble Maker: any container or item with holes in it. Possible Bubble Makers include: a straw, a plastic strawberry basket, a slotted spoon, a cup with the bottom cut off, or a tube. Be creative! Think about how you can make your body into a bubble blower (think an OK sign with your hands).
- For a Bubble Launcher: straws and string
- For a Monster Bubble that you can stand in: a kiddie pool, a sturdy hula hoop.
Science Buddies background information and detailed directions can be found HERE. Please note these are for Adult Science Buddies Only to help guide the activity, set up the experiment, and safety guidelines. Please remember to be safe!
Things to Do and Notice
Make your Bubble Mix.
- Start with your water in the bucket.
- Add 1 cup (250 ml) of Dawn® or Joy® to the water.
- Add the 14 cup glycerine.
- Stir gently to mix the bubble solution with your hands or with a long handled spoon. Do not mix too fast as it will get sudsy. Suds do not make good bubbles.
- Try to blow a few bubbles to see how it works. However, It is best to age the bubble solution at least 24 hours before using it. The bubble solution produces more films and bubbles if it ages for a while. Time for aging can be anywhere from half an hour to several days. If you have the time and facilities, age the bubble solution at least overnight.
Make a Bubble Wand
- Twist a pipe cleaner into any shape.
- Make sure the shape is completely closed.
- Dip your wand into bubble mix until you can see a film over the open side.
- Gently blow to produce bubbles. (Are all bubbles the same shape?)
Make a Bubble Launcher
- Take a length of string and thread it through the two straws.
- Tie the ends of the string together.
- This should make a "window" that you can use to make a bubble film and giant bubbles. Look at the drawings and the descriptions of how to do this on this explorer activity sheet.
Make a Monster Bubble (Extra Science Buddies and Friends are encouraged for this experiment)
- Make extra bubble solution for this experiment.
- Pour bubble solution into a plastic kiddie pool until the solution is an inch or two deep.
- Place the hula hoop in the pool in the bubble solution.
- Have the bubble volunteer remove their shoes and step into the middle of the pool.
- Very slowly, and with a steady hand, very gently lift the hula hoop so the bubble film is pulled up and around the person in the center.
Things to Record (Write and Draw)
Please remember to make a Mission Report to keep track of your experiments.
Scientists keep a written and drawn record of what they do.
Write down and draw what you did, what happened, and what you discovered.
Please remember to make a Mission Report to keep track of your experiments.
Scientists keep a written and drawn record of what they do.
Write down and draw what you did, what happened, and what you discovered.
- What shapes did the bubbles make?
- Did all bubble makers make the same shape bubbles?
- What different things can be used to make bubble makers?
- What happens if you do no use glycerin in your bubble mix?
- What happens if you use too much soap in your bubble mix?
- What was the biggest bubble that you made?
- Can you reach a dry hand into a bubble? A wet hand?
- Can you catch a bubble with a dry hand? A wet hand?
- Did you try anything different? Please tell me about it in the last section.
Clean Up
You can safely pour the extra soap solution down the drain (if there is any left).
You can also save your soap solution in a gallon jug or 2L bottle. It can be reused and it will last a long time if kept closed. Store it in a cool spot and label it clearly as Bubble Soap Solution with the date that you made it.
This experiment is based on the Science NetLinks Summer Learning Activity: Making Bubbles.