There are few things more fun for your kids than bubbles. And I was SO excited when I realized just how easy it was to make homemade bubble solution right at home…for just pennies! Talk about a serious game-changer.
Let’s be honest. Store-bought bubbles can get expensive quickly, especially when kids are always spilling them.
Luckily, you can easily learn how to make a bubble solution! All you need are three simple ingredients (glycerin not required!), and you can mix up a large batch of DIY bubbles in 2-3 minutes.
Your children will LOVE this easy bubble recipe, and you will too because it provides hours of inexpensive fun. I’ve found this homemade bubble recipe to be just as good as the ready-made versions.
It’s strong and great for blowing big bubbles too!
Why you need to make homemade bubbles ASAP
First of all, as you probably know…children love blowing bubbles. Even older children enjoy getting in on “bubble fun.”
The issue with bubbles? Kids spill. A lot. Especially younger children.
You’ve been there, right? You find those little containers of bubbles on sale and buy one for each child, thinking how much fun they’ll have on a nice sunny afternoon.
You hand them out, the kids go outside excitedly, and 5 minutes later, at least one child is inside crying because their bubbles spilled and are all gone.
Plus, add in the fact that even on-sale bubbles can get expensive (especially if you have multiple children as I do)!
That’s where the homemade version comes in handy. Trust me, moms, keep this one in your repertoire!
Want to know another fantastic reason why you need to make these?
You’ll save money with homemade bubble solution.
You can make 3 huge batches of homemade bubbles with this easy recipe for around $4. It would cost me at least $30 to buy that much ready-made bubble solution!
Plus, it’s super quick and easy to make DIY bubble solution – this can serve as a fantastic project for older kids! My 10-year-old can mix up a batch by himself.
Homemade bubble supplies
- 5 cups of water
- 2 cups dish soap
, like Dawn or Joy - 3/4 cup corn syrup
- A container for mixing/storing*
- Small plastic containers for individual bubbles (you can even use plastic cups – just make sure your kids—or you—don’t accidentally drink it!)
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In terms of containers, I found a large plastic container at Walmart for $2.50. It’s the perfect size for making and storing homemade bubble solution. But you can use an old pitcher or whatever you have around the house.
How to make bubbles at home
First, let me make a disclaimer: Yes, homemade bubbles are non-toxic. However, you wouldn’t want your kids drinking it, of course! Make sure to always supervise your children and ensure the ingredients are safe to handle.
Now, here’s how you can make DIY bubbles in just minutes!
1. Pour corn syrup into water
Measure out 3/4 cup of corn syrup…
…and pour into your container with 5 cups of water.
2. Stir well
Just make sure the ingredients are combined well together.
3. Add the dish soap
Measure 2 cups of dish soap…
…and pour into the corn syrup/water mixture.
4. Stir well
Don’t shake it, or you’ll end up with tons of foamy bubbles. We are going for the opposite of James Bond here…stirred, not shaken! 😉
And your homemade bubbles are done!
How to use the homemade bubbles
To divvy the solution out, you’ll also need small containers to pour the bubbles into for each child.
You can use a plastic Rubbermaid container
or whatever you have around the house.
I found these plastic mason jar look-alike containers
on clearance for 25 cents each!
All four of my children love these homemade bubbles, even my tween. They have spent 2-3 hours at a time playing together and having contests to see who can blow the largest, strongest bubble!
And I had such fun watching them play and taking photos. Sometimes it’s hard to get the kids to slow down for me to snap a decent photo, but today I got lots of gems. (Except for my middle son, who was in a mood and didn’t want to play.)
FAQs
I’ve been making this bubble solution for years and thought I’d go ahead and address the most common questions I typically get.
What’s the best soap to use for homemade bubbles?
First of all, you’ll need to use dish soap, not hand soap. It makes a huge difference!
Personally, we have tried many different dish soaps and always come back to the same two: Dawn and Joy. I recommend going with one of those for the best results!
How long will homemade bubble solution last?
Homemade bubble solution will last a surprisingly long time. In fact, some people say that the longer you let it sit, the better it gets.
We admittedly rarely have leftovers, but I’ve kept the solution in a sealed container for a few days with no issues.
What are some creative ways to use DIY bubble solution?
You can use these with a basic wand or get creative! Emily had an idea to use her fingers as a wand too. It was messy, but it worked well.
I thought it was a pretty creative way to do something different with bubbles! They blew some really big bubbles this way! And you don’t need any extra “big bubble-blowing” supplies!
Once you nail this recipe, you can make some variations with homemade bubbles too. I recommend this colored homemade bubbles recipe! Even more fun? Your kids might want to try painting with bubbles too!
What’s your kids’ favorite way to enjoy blowing DIY bubbles?
More fun activities and DIYs for kids
- How to Make 2 Ingredient Finger Paint
- Homemade Gak Recipe in Less Than 5 Minutes
- Fluffy Dish Soap “Slime” (Borax Free!)
- How to Make Silly Putty (Just 2 Ingredients!)
Pin the image below to save the instructions for later.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Bubbles are so much fun, aren’t they? My kids love them.
Danielle says
Great minds think alike! I was just thinking about making homemade bubbles the other day. My son loves playing with bubbles. Your idea for making wands is so cute too.
Jenna Wood says
We did this often when I was a kid- then we’d pull out the slip and slide….You can put the rest of the story together. I know my niece would really get into this project.
Amy Desrosiers says
This is such a creative DIY for the kiddos! My three love playing with bubbles so much!
Amber Edwards says
I knew you could use dish soap, but had no idea that corn syrup helped make amazing bubbles! So brilliant! And I love those wands! So creative!
Valerie says
I didn’t realize the recipe called for corn syrup but it makes sense. Thanks for the recipe for bubbles. I enjoy blowing them myself!
Aubrey says
My kids really like bubbles too. Sometimes the bubbles you get from the store stink. Yours look like the bubbles work well.
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says
This is amazing! I love that you can use your hands- my toddler is going to love trying these bubbles!
Liz Mays says
Ah I wish I knew this recipe when my kids were little. Those bubbles look perfect!
Felicita Moncada says
Awesome! I need to make a huge jug of this! My 3 year old is obsessed!!
Ann Bacciaglia says
My kids loved playing with bubbles when they were younger. I will have to share this with my friend. She has two little girls that will love this.
gingermommyrants says
This looks like such an easy way to make bubbles for the kids. My kids love to make bubbles. I will have to try this with them on the weekend.
Shauna says
I had no idea that you used corn syrup in it. I LOVE this and will be making some for my kids since they love bubbles and I never seem to be able to find good ones. Thanks so much for sharing.
SHELLEY R ZUREK says
Fantastic! Truly. I think the pictures just show the process so well. And kids can do the whole process and have so much fun while doing.
Meagan says
We go through so many bubbles at my house! Love the idea of making my own!
Autumn @Mamachallenge says
My kids always spill it everywhere. I will have to make our own soon!
Gabriel says
I’m actually planning to do this later this afternoon with the three little ones. They LOVE balloons and bubbles.
Lena Burkut says
I don’t know what I am more excited about – the super pretty wand or the fact that we can make the bubbles that would actually fly
Debi- Lifestyle Blogger says
Those are really cool. My kids love bubbles and we are always running out.
Erica Brooks says
My kids love blowing bubbles. They’ll enjoy making the wands.
Sharon Rausch says
I learn so much from you as well! Thank you so much for sharing your helpful information. Keep it up.
Erika says
You’re welcome! thanks for the kind words, Sharon. 🙂
Jackie says
Love this recipe. I bought fly swatters for the toddlers. It work really well!
Erika says
That’s a great idea! Thanks for the tip. Glad you love the recipe! 🙂
Ally Rou says
I want to try making these for my class of preschoolers. We go through so many bubbles! It can be hard to find them in stores here unless it is the summer. Do they leave any sticky residue behind with the corn syrup?
Erika says
We didn’t notice that it was sticky. There probably will be soap residue left on little fingers but we just washed in the sink easily. Hope everyone has fun!
elisa Moniz says
Hi i’m so excited to do this recipe for these amazing bubbles. When I was re writing the recipe there are two measurements for the soap quantities… In the ingriedients they ask for 2.5 cups though in the procedure they say measure out 2 cups of soap?? Which should I use??
Erika says
You’re right. It’s 2 cups. Thanks for letting me know, I’ve fixed the post. Have fun!
Britt says
I think I may have done this wrong…I followed the measurements exactly but we’re having a hard time actually blowing bubbles… like it’s too watery? Maybe?
Erika says
Hmm I wonder what brand of soap you used? I wonder if that might make the difference.
Mary says
bubbles – won’t the corn syrup encourage ants and bees
Erika says
I’ve never noticed additional ants or bees – I think the soap cancels out the sweetness, but I can’t say for sure. Just my non-scientific theory. 😉
Wendy says
We put in bubble machine and when they popped it left behind white residue, looked like it was snowing. Wasn’t sticky though but son had fun anyways.
Kristen B. says
I love this bubble solution! Do you think I could use it ion a bubble machine?
Erika says
Sure! I’m so glad you love it!