How to Make Homemade Bubble Solution and Bubble Wands

This homemade bubble solution post contains affiliate links.

I love teaching my kids traditional games and activities, the kind of activities that get the kids unplugged from electronics and encourage them to get outside and wear off some energy.  Kids of all ages love to play with bubbles, don’t they?  Homemade bubble solution and creative homemade wands make bubble time so much fun.  These wands are simple enough for the kids to make themselves … or you can spend some time together, making wands and blowing bubbles.  Doesn’t that sound like a great way to spend a summer afternoon?

How to Make Homemade Bubble Solution

To make your own homemade bubble solution, you’ll need water, dish detergent, glycerin, and a bowl for mixing.

Mix together 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons glycerin, and 4 tablespoons dish detergent.  The glycerin gives the bubble solution a greater viscosity which makes the bubbles hold together better.

{I’ve read that you can substitute corn syrup for the glycerin but I haven’t tried it.  If you try that recipe, I’d love to hear what you think about it.}  

Once the bubble solution is made, you just need some bubble wands.

You can use storebought bubble wands with the solution or you can experiment with some everyday items.

How to Make Homemade Bubble Wands

Clothespins and cookie cutters make great temporary bubble wands.  Simply clip the clothespin onto the top of the cookie cutter and use the clothespin as a handle to dip the cookie cutter into the bubble solution.

You can also make bubble wands from pipe cleaners by wrapping a pipe cleaner around a round item and twisting the ends together.

The pipe cleaner bubble wand is light for small hands and works really well.

You can copy the same technique with wire but with both types of wands, watch out for pokey ends.  Adding a dab of hot glue over the pointy end is a great way to make it blunt.

And teeny tiny bubble wands are lots of fun!  I wrapped wire around a pencil to make this itty bitty bubble wand.

Tate loved blowing bubbles in the backyard and I did too.  There’s something about being outside on a warm day ….

… watching bubbles drift through the air …

… while the kids laugh and try to pop them …

… that feels so relaxing.

Do your kids love blowing bubbles?

For more traditional game and activity ideas, be sure to check out this kick the can tutorial with game instructions …

… and a tutorial for playing jacks {with a DIY storage bag for jacks}.