This entire week my son has asked to play with bubbles after dinner. The sun is lower, the weather is cool at that time, and there has been a nice breeze. We have spent up to an hour making large bubbles and running around popping them. I will always remember an experience I had with my Pre-K students years ago. I found some unpoppable bubbles back then and we played with them in the classroom. I remember their little fingers and heads being covered in bubbles. The children LOVED them and I have always wanted to give that same experience to my son. They still sell these bubbles, but they come in a TINY tube and they didn’t work as well as I remember. So………in my quest to create some interesting bubble fun, I found a BOUNCY BUBBLE recipe (at Steve Spangler). My son and I made it last night because it has to “age” for 24 hours. I have to admit, it was a huge bust with him – LOL. He had absolutely NO interest in it. It was so cool, however, that I wanted to share it with all of you (so I lured in my other child….er….um….I mean, husband). 
- AK (MESE, MECD)
Thing you need:
- 1 C distilled drinking water
- 1 Tablespoon dish soap
- 1 Teaspoon of glycerin (I ordered mine online)
- straw (this is just what I chose to blow the bubbles with, Im assuming you can use a typical bubble wand)
- 1 clean glove (or sock) – (this is to keep the bubble from popping)
MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER AND LET SIT FOR 24 HOURS
You can catch the bubbles
BUBBLE BOUNCING IN ACTION
WildToddlerTwins says:
awesome!!
Maren says:
cant wait to try this out! Im not sure if its my boyfriend or daughter who will find this most fun
we live in norway, and I don’t understand what “C” means, can you help me with that?
CaribeAzul says:
The “C” means cup. You will need 1 cup or 8 fluid ounces of distilled drinking water.
Danette says:
C stands for cup. 1 cup is also equal to 8 ounces.
Diane says:
Cup is what C stands for, it is close to 250 ml.
Allie Bridges says:
Cup
Shawna says:
C=cup
Kelly says:
c is for cup
Melinda says:
C means cup
Mel says:
1 cup
Maureen says:
C = cup
T= tablespoon
t = teaspoon
Conversions:
1 C = 250 ml
1 T = 15 ml
1 t = 5 ml
V says:
Cup! It’s a US cooking measurement. 1 cup = 8 ounces. Maybe 250 mL.
Mara Sprott says:
It probably means a measuring cup of the distilled water. The same measure cup for a cup of flour to bake a cake.
A tea spoon measure spoon is 5 ml and there are 3 teaspoons
in a tablespoon. A tsp of liquid dish soap and a Tbs of glycerin.
These amounts look like they will make the amount of
bubble stuff in a store bought bottle, with the glycerin giving
the bubble solution more cohesion. Also bubbles do a little better
in warmer spring and summer, with air currents on which to
float.
Melinda says:
C stands for Cup
nik says:
C stands for Cup
Susan says:
It refers to a measuring cup which equals 8 fluid ounces or about a quarter of a liter.
brady says:
Someone has already answered it you guys don’t have to tell that person a million times . That person would have gotten it already
susan said so says:
I know, right?!
Jeannie says:
It means “cup”
Diner says:
Maren, “C” is an abbreviation for “cup” or 8 ounces.
Erin says:
Cups
Danielle says:
C stands for Cup
Pat Morgan says:
It means
“Cup”. Which is equivalent to 8 ounces
brooke says:
it means cup
Mandy says:
Hi Maren,
I think she is referring to U.S.A. Measurement of cups. Therefore, it would be about 237 to 240 milliliters. Or 1 cc which is same as 1ml. I have not tried the recipe yet so I hope this helps you.
Lauren says:
C means cup
Anne says:
C means cup. (8 ounces)
Michael says:
It means cup
Rita Meszaros says:
C means CUP .
Lori L says:
Maren, the “C” refers to a measured cup (8 ounces) of distilled drinking water.
Celeste says:
“C” stands for cup.
Teri says:
C means cup.
Ann says:
Hello Maren I came across this website because I make bubbles and this has nothing to do with bubbles but I had long been looking for a pen pal in Norway. I love norway and am trying to learn the language. I don`t know if you would me asking questions every now and then.
Karen says:
cup
LeeanneA / KMullally says:
Who wouldn’t love this!
Bella says:
I can’t find glycerin anywhere
Sharon says:
I found glycerin at Hobby Lobby. I think you might find it at a pharmacy too.
Lindsey Patry says:
Places like Walgreens or RiteAid should have it in the pharmacy area- it’s labelled as a skin protectant.
Sue says:
you can get it at the drug store
jennifer says:
hi I found my Glycerin in Wal-Mart in the first-aid area
Lindsay says:
I found some at Walmart in the vitamin section. It was $3.88/bottle.
KRISTIN says:
I believe you can buy glycerin at Michael’s or other craft stores. it should be next to the fondant/extracts/etc.
Cassandra says:
I found mine at Micheal’s!!!
Michelle says:
I found it at Target’s Pharmacy.
HopeNator says:
I found mine at Hobby Lobby in the soap making section if that helps. It was $3.99 for 8oz.
leslie82 says:
My daughters would love this!!!
mommycameron says:
This is awesome! I can’t waint to try this with my boys!
theolivetree says:
you have the BEST ideas!!! I just got “glow sticks” for balloons and bath time fun!!
Nutty Mom says:
Thanks this is great! My mixture is now sitting for 24 hours! I’m thinking I do some strange projects with the kids because I already had glycerin on hand, LOL!
aj says:
coolest thing ever
Nutty Mom says:
Oh and I meant to throw in for your readers that you can get glycerin at craft stores that sell cake decorating supplies.
Mirawyn says:
Very cool! Vegetable glycerine is also available at most health food stores, and sometimes at stores like Whole Foods Market. (It’s used in a wide range of homemade health and beauty projects.
Tina @ Babycakes Blog says:
How neat! My kids like the unpoppable bubbles that you can buy, but making them myself sounds much better to me. Thanks! Tina @ Babycakes Blog http://www.thejohnslife.com/BabycakesBlog/
Mandy says:
Walgreens also sells glycerin near the peroxide
Prairie Dog Susie says:
Went to my Walgreen’s to get some, and the poor young man took me the aisle with glycerin suppositories?!! :-! Decided not to get those. Finally found mine at Hobby Lobby.
chronicbliss says:
If you melt them down, the suppositories might work.
Nicki Bunting says:
THis is awesome! Thank you so much for sharing!
Samantha says:
Just a quick question, is this more of an outdoor activity to play with? I didn’t know if they would make indoor floors slick like regular bubbles.
EU says:
I used to make bubbles and have the students use straws to blow them on to the top of their desks. Stick the straw into the bubble and blow more inside. Amazing quiet activity! Plus the desks get squeeky clean.
psywren says:
Also, when you say mix all ingredients, does this include the sock? –like it needs to be soaked in the stuff in order for them not to break when they touch it?
Corbett Mama says:
Does the water have to be distilled? I make it spooky never to buy water.
Corbett Mama says:
Oh, auto correct! a point never to, not spooky!
Anonymous Surgical Tech says:
I don’t wanna pop any bubbles but you pay for the water that comes out of your sink too : )
Unknown says:
Not if you have well water. And if you have a wind turbine or solar panels you don’t pay for the electricity to run your well pump either
Dorothy-Life With Boys says:
What breaks bubbles is when they come in contact with something that disrupts their surface tension–ie a dry hand. It’s why you can blow a bubble and then “catch it” on a bubble wand-the wand is wet. I would think if your child had a wet had to catch bubbles with then you wouldn’t need the glove. (?)
Crystal says:
Wet soapy hands are the best for catching bubbles.
Liz says:
glycerin is also available in most stores in the first aid section, near rubbing alcohol.
Lissa says:
Walmart is one of those stores that sells glycerin in the first aid section.
Judimed says:
My local CVS has glycerin in the cosmetics section. On the bottle it says it’s a “skin protectant.”
Shalonne Halstead says:
Hi – Does the water have to be distilled? Thanks!
Play At Home Mom says:
yes
New Baby Gifts says:
An excellent way to keep a husband entertained. Who needs tv?
Play At Home Mom says:
LOL
maryroberts7 says:
What age group would you recommend this for?
Play At Home Mom says:
age 2-82
Ashlee says:
I made these for my kids the other day after seeing this on Pinterest, but the bubbles are popping just like normal bubbles, regardless of the sock/glove. They still are nice bubbles (and less sticky than the corn syrup bubbles I made them recently). I made a double batch, but I don’t know if that’s why it’s not working, or what. Regardless, there are so many great activities here that my daughter and my ASD son will have so much fun with – so glad I found you at the beginning of summer – we’re going to have a blast!
Amy Z says:
I found that these bubbles were stronger, but watery. I added some store-bought, thicker bubble solution to the mix, and pretty soon we were bouncing bubbles all over the place. I have a 4 year old who wants to show this to everyone, so we’ve tried it in all types of weather. Wind makes the bubbles pop easier, so playing with them inside the garage might help.
flatlanderpoet says:
you can also get glycerin at the local pharmacy. look in the suppository section, they should come in little bullet sized tabs in a small plastic bottle or container. you can melt them down one at a time as you need them and they store forever!
howtoeatyourfeelings says:
I love this recipe!
I worked in an after school program with elementary school children when I was in high school. This was one of their FAVORITE activities and they got so excited when we brought it in.
To make larger bubbles take a straw and tie some yarn through it to make a large circle. Dip it in the solution and then wave it to make big bubbles. You can also use two straws if you prefer a stiffer string.
Mrs. H says:
My dad said that not long before we were around, that’s how all “bubbles” were made. It was just that making them without glycerine was cheaper, so they stopped using it.
Kristin says:
Glycerin is great for making your own snow globes too!
sarah says:
saw these thought umight wanna give em a try jello bubbles that dont pop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=cf3dKn-gyh0
mreiser1213 says:
I think it would be cool to cut open a glow stick and mix it in… Glow in the dark unpoppable bubbles would be awesome.
liezel Ayala says:
Awesome my kids love this. Funbrain Games for kids
Steve Morris says:
also be cool to put a glow stick liquid in it & use them at night..
Y vearl says:
I love this idea! And it appears I am late to the party, but better late than never, right?
Samantha S. says:
Awesomeness!!
cynthia says:
My bubbles ate very heavy and kind of drop the moment they leave the straw, I am not expecting them to flit about like regular bubbles but are there any recommendations to how I can get these little guys to launch a bit further? I would like to bring this game to my church Kiddos but I am picturing being rushed by 7-10 toddlers and them clamboring over eachother to get to them.
Sunny Rosso says:
Hi, I was wondering if these work in the rain? We live near Seattle, and never have steady weather lol And are these okay for inside or way too messy? Thanks!
Play At Home Mom says:
I imagine they would pop in the rain. We played with ours inside.
Play At Home Mom says:
I think because they are meant to bounce, the solution is heavier. Im not sure they will float around like typical bubbles.
Nikki says:
How long does the mixture last?? does it make a lot? I want to do this for the 4th of july with my young cousins, but don’t know how much I should make….
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Kathy says:
For those not wanting to buy distilled water — take some water out of the dehumidifier bucket, if you have one. That is the equivalent of distilled water, at least for this purpose. I know that not all people have dehumidifiers because of differences in climates, but lots of us do. I sometimes use that water in my iron and in vases when I don’t want the mineral residue ring.
Phoebe says:
So thrilled to find this recipe
Very cool, can’t wait to try it out, ready to press “Print”! Thanks again for sharing this!
Janice says:
Did this with the grand kids recently. We all loved it. We made our wands with two straws and some yarn. I got the glycerin at the drug store.
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Anne at www.leftbraincraftbrain.com says:
So much fun! Can’t wait to try these with my girl. I just featured you post at Left Brain Craft Brain, hope you like How Bubbles Work & 20 Things to Do with Them!
http://leftbraincraftbrain.com/2014/05/16/how-bubbles-work-20-things-to-do-with-them/
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A Moms Rambles says:
Hi! I recently wrote a Summer Activity bucket list on my blog and I gave you a shout out! You can check it out here if you would like!
(all photos and page mentions were sourced and linked back to your original post.)
http://amomsrambels.blogspot.com/2014/05/summer-activities-for-entire-family.html
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Carolyn says:
I live in the Northeast part of Ohio. We have very cold weather in the winter, however, we are still able to do bubbles almost year round. If you live in a cold climate, bundle the children up (or adults too) and go outside. They will freeze and act so different during extreme weather.
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Jenif'r says:
I tried this recipe out with my 9 year old and 6 year old. I let it sit for over 24 hours. It didn’t work. They came out like regular bubbles. I used a sock, mixed them up and don’t know, but I had two disappointed children.
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Amy says:
Will these work in a bubble machine?
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Jessica says:
How long will this last? I want to make a big batch and put it in an old laundry soap dispenser for 4th of July. Do you think it will work?