Bubbles are among the oldest and most popular of children's playthings. Even when families have no money for toys, they can usually find a wire to twist into a circle and some soap suds. And bubbles make people smile, whether they're watching, blowing, popping, trying to catch, or singing about them.
National Bubble Week then (this year from March 11-17), is a time for kids (and pets) of all ages to celebrate the fun and entertainment of bubbles and to usher in the first day of spring.
There are professional bubble blowers, E-Cards, books, paintings, bubblefests, even a Bubble Blower's Museum, which further spotlight these "minimal surface structures" (as bubble-ologists would call them). And then there are the Guinness World Records for the biggest bubble (big enough to surround an 8,000 pound elephant; 19 boys and girls), the largest free floating bubble, the longest bubble, the most people simultaneously blowing bubbles, and the most bubbles blown with a live tarantula in someone's mouth.
"The best bottles of bubbles one can buy, it seems, are from Gymboree," said a friend. "Their bubbles (made from sugar, not soap) stay on the ground and on kids long enough for them to have a chance to pop them. You can even stack them on top of one another. I've found them the next day (sometimes several days later) sticking to the carpet, the walls, picture frames, everywhere."
Of course, making the solution at home is fine too, and cheaper.The most common recipe appears to be: one cup of Joy (or Dawn), eight cups of soft or distilled water, and 1/4 cup of glycerin or White Karo Syrup.
Another recipe for Super Bubbles is two parts dishwashing gel, four parts glycerin, and one part white corn syrup (no water).
Homemade wands work, as well. Consider taping six drinking straws together for lots of little bubbles; or use pipe cleaners, plastic rings that hold six-packs, or coat hangers for even larger bubbles. Enjoy making bubbles within bubbles or square bubbles, and bouncing, floating, or mega bubbles.
And finally, besides blowing bubbles with my grandchildren and the neighborhood gang, I like to take a container or two along on vacations. I've found that most youngsters are just happy to be smiled at and acknowledged, but if I blow them some bubbles, better yet, let them do it, they're ecstatic. Notice for example, the expressions on the faces of these young people from somewhere in rural Morocco. I don't think they had ever done that before, even though their mothers were nearby, washing clothes in the stream.
By Viaux from Miami, Florida
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This page contains the following solutions.
Keep several bottles of bubbles on bricks around the parameters of your garden if you have lots of bug problems. Let the kids play with the bubbles around the garden, not really blowing them directly on the plants but above them.
Check out these photos.
My grandson was blowing bubbles from a large half gallon bottle with a long wand with multiple circle's. I was taking pictures of him then he yelled, "Look Grandma, it's a Blues Clues footprint.
A lovely picture of my friend's daughter as she's playing with bubbles. Oh, to be a child again! :)
My 2 1/2 year old niece Catherine enjoying the day with bubbles. Sometimes the simplest things are best.
Kids will love this simple to make bubble snake maker. All you will need is a plastic bottle, terry cloth or a sock, rubber band, and soap. The easy to follow instructions are found below.
Pipe cleaners and lengths of plastic drinking straws can be transformed into geometric bubble wands. Follow the step by step instructions, accompanied by helpful photos, to make some for your kids, relatives, or to give as party favors.
This is a page about making huge bubbles. By using a recycled coffee can from which you have removed both ends you and the kids can make humungous bubbles.
This is a page about making bubble print art. Have the kids create their own abstract art by using bubble solution and food coloring.
This page contains recipes for homemade bubbles. Blowing bubbles is a longstanding childhood pastime. Of course adults love to get involved too.
So I know winter is approaching and these aren't really typical to see at this time of year, but you can use them inside too! You just have to be prepared to clean up a little bit of a mess:)
