Well, it's time for one of my favorite activities with my preschooler Weird Scientists! I have the kids make their own bubble wands and have them try out different shapes to see if it "changes" the shape of their bubbles. We also do a time test, comparing bubbles from a day-old solution to one we made on site. Did you know that pipe cleaners can make excellent bubble wands? Another favorite is a long piece of PVC pipe with a cord loop attached to the end. One end of the cord loop slides up and down the PVC pipe. After you dip the cord in the bubble solution, pull it out and carefully slide the one end of the cord up the pipe toward your hand. Swing it gently around in a semi-circle around you to make a giant bubble, then gently slide the cord closed again to close the bubble and release it.
Usually I like to make our bubble recipe with home-grown glycerin from my husband's former biodiesel-brewing days. However, this time I'm using another tried and true recipe that makes wonderful bubbles (especially if you make it a day or two before you want to use it):
Ingredients:
6 cups of distilled water
1 cup corn syrup
2 cups Dawn dish soap
To prepare:
Stir together water and corn syrup.
Add the Dawn dish soap and stir very gently, without making bubbles.
