Make the best homemade giant bubbles solution with this recipe and step-by-step instructions for how to make huge bubbles! It’s a super easy DIY recipe that will provide hours of fun for your family!
Table of Contents
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- The Best Times for Giant Bubbles
- How to Make Giant Bubbles Recipe
- Ingredients
- Tools and Materials
- Directions
- How to use a Giant Bubble Wand with this Recipe
- All About Glycerin and Bubbles
- Tips and FAQ
- The Best Wands and Tools
- How to Make a DIY Giant Bubble Wand
By the time the outside temperature rises in Minnesota I’ve been planning outdoor activities for months.
Those long, long stretches of cold weather give me time and motivation to figure out how we’re (eventually) going to spend our summer days outside.
My favorite family activity for all ages is something that’s both fun and simple. It’s making up a batch of my homemade bubble recipe and turning everyone loose outside. (hint: the one that uses corn syrup is my personal favorite, and these unbreakable bubbles are a close second!)
I also try to make it even more fun by using a variety of tools and different recipes to make bubbles.
But recently we needed something more interesting and more special. We had just been to a bubble festival and the bubbologists (yes, that’s a real thing!) there had enthralled my kids with the giant bubbles they created from all sorts of wands and tools.
My favorite part of the festival was that they even shared the best recipe for making huge bubbles at home!
Before that day, I had no idea that giant bubbles required a different solution. I also didn’t have a clue that you could make that kind at home. So today, I’m sharing the recipe with all of you!
I’m telling you, this isn’t the same stuff as your discount store bottle of bubbles. This is the real deal. You’ll understand after you form the first massive bubble of your own.
I have just the right combination of ingredients, along with step-by-step instructions, for you to make your solution for huge bubbles!
The best times for giant bubbles
Once you’ve mastered the recipe you’re going to want to make it over and over again. Why? Because giant bubbles are impressive and mesmerizing. Seriously, even adults are totally wowed when you make them appear and float through the air!
This mix would be perfect to break out during summer birthday parties and backyard graduation celebrations. It will make those parties especially fun and memorable.
The 4th of July would be another fabulous time to mix up a batch of this especially fun homemade bubble juice.
Ok, just start making this recipe for every summer get-together. You won’t regret it!
How to make giant bubbles
If you’re thinking that there’s a super secret and special item needed for this DIY recipe, you’re wrong. It’s very easy and very straightforward.
You might need to order glycerin (there’s tons of information on this if you keep reading), but it’s very likely you have the rest of the ingredients already in your kitchen.
Giant bubble solution ingredients
- 12 cups water
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 cup dish soap
- 2 tablespoons glycerin
Just a few notes about the recipe:
- Distilled water is preferred, but you can also use tap water.
- Make sure you use baking powder, not baking soda.
- If you don’t know what corn starch is, it’s the same thing as cornflour.
Tools and materials
It will be a lot easier to make this recipe if you have these items:
- Plastic bucket or dishpan
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
Instructions
- Put 6 cups of the water in the bucket and vigorously whisk in the cornstarch until it’s dissolved. Mix in the rest of the water and baking powder until it’s all combined.
- Add the soap and glycerin to the water mixture. Stir slowly with a wooden spoon. Don’t stir fast enough to make suds or foam in the bucket.
- Let your homemade bubble solution sit for an hour or more before using. Stir it gently for at least two minutes before making bubbles.
- Stir every 10 or 15 minutes while you’re using it. The solids tend to settle at the bottom.
How to use a giant bubble wand with this recipe
Here’s a quick video demonstration with two methods for how to make giant bubbles:
If you’re using a tri-string bubble wand like the DIY ones below, here are easy step-by-step instructions for making an impressive giant bubble:
- Hold the handles together and dip the entire cord or string of the wand into your bucket of solution.
- Lift it up with the handles still together and slowly spread them apart into a window to form your giant bubble.
- Bring the handles back together to close the strings and release the huge bubble into the air.
Be sure to scroll down to the tips section to help you as you learn and experiment and with your bubble mixture.
All about glycerin and bubbles
Like I said earlier, glycerin is the ingredient outlier, but it’s actually very easy to find.
Where can I buy glycerin?
Glycerin can be found in the cake decorating area of most craft stores. If you’re near a Michael’s, you can order it for same day store or curbside pickup.
If you want to order it online you can find several options on Amazon:
- Essential Depot Kosher Vegetable Glycerin: This is Amazon’s bestselling glycerin. The product reviews show that it’s the best!
- Wilton glycerin
- NOW 100% pure vegetable glycerine
Vegetable Kosher Glycerin, 1 qtBUY NOW
NOW Vegetable Glycerin, 16 ozBUY NOW
Wilton Vegetable Glycerin, 2 ozBUY NOW
What does glycerin do?
It’s a smooth, thick liquid that attracts moisture and thickens the soap film and the solution, resulting in thicker bubbles.
It also keeps the water from evaporating as quickly and makes your bubbles stronger. You need both of those things because forming giant bubbles takes longer.
Can I make giant bubbles without glycerin?
Yes, but you can’t just omit it from the recipe. You’ll need a substitute. According to Instructables, the best substitute is this personal secret ingredient. Another substitute is polyethylene glycol, but that’s even harder to find.
Tips and FAQ
I know you have questions about the best way to put your solution to use. I have a few tips and then we’ll get to the frequently asked questions.
Between the two sections you’ll probably all the information you’d ever need to know!
Tips
This giant bubble recipe makes a solution that gets better with age and use! As you dip, stir and use the mixture, you’ll find that each big bubble is better than the last one.
If there’s no wind, walk backwards as you spread the handles of your bubble wand apart.
If there’s a light breeze, walk forwards while you separate the sticks of your wand.
If you’re trying to make your first ever giant bubble on a windy day, you might want to wait for the wind to settle.
If you can’t wait, stand at an angle to the wind and don’t open the string all the way as you let the suds form.
If you’re struggling with the long cord on your wand, try shortening it to about 3 feet around. This is a more manageable size that will still produce big floaters while you practice.
FAQ
What’s the best dishwashing soap to use for giant bubbles?
Dawn Original dish soap is hands down the best dish soap for any bubble recipe. You can also use Dawn Ultra for similar results. DO NOT USE generic soaps. The high water content will prevent quality soap molecules from forming.
How should I store the solution?
You don’t need to throw out any leftover mix. Store it in an airtight container, like a glass mason jar, and keep it in the refrigerator.
How long will the bubble mix last?
It will keep for a few weeks, especially if you refrigerate it. The solids might settle or separate as it sits, so be sure to swirl the container a few times before using. Don’t shake it, though. You want to save those soap bubbles for playtime.
After you have your huge bubble solution made, you still need the right tools to make those massive bubbles.
Try out these highly-rated wands and tools designed for the biggest bubbles:
- Gazillion Incredibubble Wand
- Extreme Bubbles 7″ Big Hoop Kit
- Little Kids Super Fubbles Wand
- Toysmith Big Wand Set
- Wowmazing 4-Piece Giant Wands Kit
- E-Know Stainless Steel Telescopic Wand
How to Make a DIY Giant Bubble Wand (2 methods)
You can also make your own giant bubble wand!
Below are two different ways of making giant bubble wands with homemade tools. They’re called tri-string wands and they work spectacularly well. The biggest bubble I’ve ever seen was made with one of these homemade wands!
The best part? They’re both easy to make and easy to use!
Method 1
Thread 3-5 feet of yarn through two straws, then tie the ends together to make a big circle.
To use: Hold the straws apart from each other, dip the entire contraption in the mix and gently pull the straws apart. Let the wind blow through the circle of yarn, or blow into it to form your bubbles.
Method 2
This method makes a more heavy duty wand that will last longer, but it also takes a bit more effort.
Gather up these items:
- 2 half-inch wooden dowel rods
- 2 small screw eyes
- 3-5 feet of cotton cord
1. Push one screw eye into the end of each dowel and screw in until it’s inserted all the way.
2. Thread the cord through each of the screw eyes and knot the ends together so you have one big loop.
If you’re in a pinch and you don’t have any tools for your solution, just bend a pipe cleaner into a loop for a quick and easy blower!
Yield: 12 cups
How to Make Giant Bubbles
Giant bubbles are easy when you use this DIY giant bubble recipe! These are the best instructions to learn how to make big bubbles solution at home! The ingredient mixture of blue dawn liquid soap, glycerin and water combined with directions for how to make a huge bubble wand and a video for how to use it means you'll impress everyone with the best homemade giant bubbles!
Prep Time1 minute
Active Time3 minutes
Additional Time45 minutes
Total Time49 minutes
DifficultyEasy
Materials
- 12 cups water
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 cup dish soap
- 2 tablespoons glycerin
Tools
- Plastic bucket or dishpan
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
Instructions
- Put 6 cups of water in the bucket and vigorously whisk in the cornstarch until it's dissolved. Add in the rest of the water and baking powder until it's all combined.
- Add the dish soap and glycerin to the water mixture. Stir slowly with a wooden spoon. Don't stir fast enough to make soap suds or foam in the bucket.
- Let your homemade giant bubble solution sit for an hour or more before using. This will make your bubbles more durable. Stir it gently for at least two minutes before you start using it to make huge bubbles.
- Gently stir the giant bubble solution with a wooden spoon every 10 or 15 minutes while you're using it. The solids tend to settle at the bottom.
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The images below appeared more prominently in the original blog post. It has since been updated, but keeping them here helps to avoid confusion if you come from Pinterest or somewhere else that used the image.
(Image credits for select photos: CyberWebImages)
