The Craftiest Workshop

When our kids were growing up, we made a few different trips to both the Edmonton and Ottawa Science Centers. On one of those visits, I recall a demonstration of someone standing in a pool of bubble mix and pulling a round hoop up and around themselves to make a bubble wall. It was very cool and I knew that one day I wanted to try to make large bubbles.

Years later, my father in-law started experimenting with creating giant bubbles after seeing someone using this method while he was on vacation. He did some online research and tried different combinations. When our niece was visiting them on Vancouver Island he caught this picture of her making the bubbles.

I was instantly intrigued and the next time we saw them I asked if he could make me some poles. I wanted to use them to make bubbles for the children at work.

From what I understand the type of string you use is important.

It is a very thick cotton string with lots of fibres for the bubble mix to latch onto.

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Any long pole would work such as dowels or old broom handles.

You attach a metal eyelet nail or screw to the ends and knot the string onto it.

You then knot the string that is in the middle, 1/2 inch down from the first knots.

However long you make the middle string, this will be the circumference of your bubble.

Once you have your poles with the string attached, you need to mix up some bubble mix.

Ingredients

470 ml Dawn dish soap

2 Tbsp Guar or Xanthan Gum (Red Mill Gluten free thickener)

1-1.5 Tbsp rubbing alcohol

5 L warm water

1Tbsp of baking powder

1 Tbsp corn starch

2 Tbsp glycerin

Directions

In a small container mix the Guar gum with rubbing alcohol until the consistency is slightly thinner than peanut butter.

Use a large pail with a lid to mix up the bubble solution. I used a square pail that we had driveway salt in.

Mix the water and soap together stirring slowly to avoid foaming.

Sift and stir the baking powder into the soapy water (this helps reduce the alkalinity)

Add the Guar gum/rubbing alcohol mixture. Continue mixing until the Guar gum is completely mixed in as it tends to clump.

Lastly, pour in the glycerin and stir.

Let it sit overnight before trying to use the mixture.

When you are done for the day, rinse out the string under some cold water to clean off the soapy mixture.

Close your bucket and store somewhere out of the way for the next time.

To Make Super Bubbles

Take the pole handles in your hands and let the string dip into the water.

As you lift the string out, keep the string end of the poles together.

As you raise the poles, slowly pull the poles and string apart.

The bubble will form in the string circle hanging from the poles.

By opening and closing the poles, but not all the way, you can create a longer tube of bubble.

With a slight breeze, the bubble should get longer even though you are standing still.

On days with little or no wind, you may have to walk backwards to create the bubble tunnel.

If you hold open the poles wide, you get a large round bubble.

TIPS

1. Before using the mix give it a gentle stir ensuring that you do not create a lot of foam.
2. You shouldn’t attempt bubble making on a windy day. You also can’t really make great bubbles when there is no wind at all. A slight breeze works best.
3. Cloudy days work better than sunny days and a bit of humidity helps.
4. When making bubbles around children, you must raise yourself up, either reaching high when creating the bubble or standing on a chair. The only thing a child wants to do with a bubble is POP it!!
5. If you are making bubbles in a busy area like a park, it is best to have a helper. They can try to keep children away from you and make sure no one knocks over the bucket with the mix.

6. If entertaining a large group of younger children, limit your bubble making to 15 minutes and then let them blow their own bubbles with mini bubbles. Children can only control their popping instincts for a short amount of time.

The best venue to use these bubbles would be at a family gathering.

The adults could take turns making the bubbles.
Your arms and neck get tired after awhile.

I have spent some time in the park behind our house testing the mix and practising making bubbles; it is very relaxing.

It gives you the chance to try trickier things like making a bubble inside a bubble.