Maker Monday: Kids can create homemade ‘super bubbles’

Kids love bubbles, so it’s likely they will love Super Bubbles even more. This easy Maker Monday project can produce bubbles — really big bubbles — which are absolutely mesmerizing as they shimmer in the sun.

How does it work?

First, a bit of science: Bubbles are made from air wrapped by three layers — two layers of soapy film with a layer of water molecules trapped in between. Adding glycerin helps extend the life of a bubble by slowing the evaporation of the water, which eventually makes a bubble pop. Bubbles pop more quickly on hot days, but on icy sub-zero days during the winter, you can actually blow a bubble that will freeze and maintain its form for several minutes.

You can do this project with items you may have around the house or can pick up at a dollar store. A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

A few tips for this project: The glycerin required for the recipe can be found at craft stores that sell cake decorating supplies or online. Along with the glycerin, we recommend Dawn dishwashing soap because it is highly concentrated, and so it tends to work best. One more tip: While you’re blowing bubbles, keep the spoon handy to stir the solution frequently because the powdered ingredients sometimes sink to the bottom.

You can fashion a Super Bubble wand from pipe cleaners or a circle of string attached to a pair of sticks.

Maker Monday materials you’ll need:

For bubble solution: 

• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1 tablespoon glycerine
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup dishwashing soap (Dawn works well)
• 6 cups water

For your bubble wand: 

To make a Super Bubble wand, you can use pipe cleaners or a circle of string attached to a pair of sticks. Your goal is to create something with a big open circle — a larger version of the kind of wand that comes with a bottle of bubble solution you might buy at a store.

Step 1: Make your wand.

Step 2: Mix all the bubble solution ingredients together in a bowl or bucket. Stir well.

Step 3: Dip your wand into the solution and blow air through it or allow the breeze to blow through. Check out the