A summer favorite, bubbles are also science!
A bubble is just air wrapped in soap film. The soap film is made of liquid.
Why is a bubble round?
Bubbles can stretch and become all kinds of crazy looking shapes. Once you seal the bubble, the tension in the bubble skin shrinks to the smallest possible shape for the volume of air it contains. Compared to any other shape, a sphere has the smallest surface area for the amount of volume. You can use all sorts of things to make bubbles, just look for items with holes. We highly recommend cookie cutters, stencils and chenille stems shaped in various ways. You can even make a circle with your hands and blow bubbles that way. Now you need bubble solution:
Basic Bubble Recipe
Measure 3 cups of water into one container, then pour 1/2 cup of dish soap into the water and slowly stir it until the soap is mixed in. Try not to let foam or bubbles form while you stir. Measure 1 tablespoon of glycerin or 4 tablespoons of corn syrup and add it to the container. Stir the solution until it is mixed together.
Super Bubble Recipe
You'll need 3 cups warm water, 1/4 cup blue Dawn dish detergent, 1/4 cup corn starch, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons glycerin or corn syrup
In a large bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the warm water, stirring really well. Gently stir in the remaining ingredients. Avoid creating a lot of froth. Allow your mixture to sit for at least an hour, stirring occasionally if you see the cornstarch settling to the bottom. The first few bubbles will pop, but as the mixture settles you’ll be able to make bubbles of any size.
A bubble is just air wrapped in soap film. The soap film is made of liquid.
Why is a bubble round?
Bubbles can stretch and become all kinds of crazy looking shapes. Once you seal the bubble, the tension in the bubble skin shrinks to the smallest possible shape for the volume of air it contains. Compared to any other shape, a sphere has the smallest surface area for the amount of volume. You can use all sorts of things to make bubbles, just look for items with holes. We highly recommend cookie cutters, stencils and chenille stems shaped in various ways. You can even make a circle with your hands and blow bubbles that way. Now you need bubble solution:
Basic Bubble Recipe
Measure 3 cups of water into one container, then pour 1/2 cup of dish soap into the water and slowly stir it until the soap is mixed in. Try not to let foam or bubbles form while you stir. Measure 1 tablespoon of glycerin or 4 tablespoons of corn syrup and add it to the container. Stir the solution until it is mixed together.
Super Bubble Recipe
You'll need 3 cups warm water, 1/4 cup blue Dawn dish detergent, 1/4 cup corn starch, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons glycerin or corn syrup
In a large bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the warm water, stirring really well. Gently stir in the remaining ingredients. Avoid creating a lot of froth. Allow your mixture to sit for at least an hour, stirring occasionally if you see the cornstarch settling to the bottom. The first few bubbles will pop, but as the mixture settles you’ll be able to make bubbles of any size.