Today we’ve been finding out how to make giant bubbles. Giant bubbles are actually much easier to make than you might think, you just need a stronger mixture than usual and something to make the bubbles with!
The best giant bubble mixture
I tried the bubbles first using ordinary bubble mixture, which didn’t work at all, so I turned to Red Ted Art for some help. We made the bubble mixture following the recipe here, and it worked amazingly well.
We made our own bubble wands using some string and straws, this photo shows our mini version. The idea is to hold the straws not the string!
The big version made these giant bubbles!
We even used a tube to make a bubble pipe. I didn’t think this would work, but it was fantastic. We used the inside of a roll of wrapping paper so it was quite a long tube and made a satisfying noise as the bubble popped out. A plastic tube would work better as the cardboard got a bit damp.
How to make giant bubbles
Try using a hula hoop as a giant bubble wand. We used a tuff spot to stand in. You can see how our bubble is bending because of the wind, so it’s best to try this on a still day. As a safety precaution I’d also recommend wearing safety goggles in case the bubble pops in little eyes.
Questions to ask for a bubble investigation
Can you see the rainbow effect on the bubbles?
This is because light from the sun contains a range of colours all with different wave lengths that when together form white light.
These colours are:
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet
When the White light shines through the film of the bubble, the light is reflected and dispersed, splitting white light into its different wave length and showing all the colours!
Is it easier to blow big bubbles or small bubbles?
Do you think the film of soapy bubble water is more likely to break the bigger it is and more it stretches?
Why are bubbles always round?
Bubbles consist of a thin film of soapy water filled with air. When you blow a bubble, the film expands outward. The forces acting between the molecules of the bubble cause it to form the shape that encloses the most volume with the least surface area — a sphere. That is why all the shapes become a circle.
More bubble experiments
Create your very own bubble mixture. Experiment with different amounts of water, washing up liquid ( dish soap ) and glycerine until you get the perfect recipe, then try adding a little cornflour to make it even stronger!
Did you know you can make square bubble?
Another fun bubble experiment is making a lava lamp
We also love our extra special bubble snake!
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We love giant bubbles! Have you also tried joining lots of drinking straws together with a rubber band, dipping all the ends in and blowing through to get loads of little bubbles? My 3 year-old likes this one as it’s easier for her to get bubbles by blowing through the straws than with a normal bubble wand.
Can’t take the credit for the idea – I pinned it from http://lessonslearntjournal.com/do-it-yourself-bubble-shooter/
I am going to have a go at this my washing up liquid attempt was a bit pants!
Love the science and fun mix! Thanks so much for sharing at the After School Linky.
Glad you like it, thanks Anna x
I have been meaning to do this all summer holidays. We had a great set that we bought last year. It was just two bamboo sticks and some string with the bubble mixture!
I will make our own again and you have inspired me to do it soon