What is it about blowing bubbles? You can blow bubbles year round, indoors or outdoors too! Making bubbles is definitely on our list of simple science experiments to try. Mix up your own inexpensive bubble solution recipe and get blowing with one of these fun bubbles science experiments below. Make bouncing bubbles as you learn all about the science behind bubbles for kids.

Enjoy Bubble Science For Kids

Get ready to add these simple bubble experiments, including bouncing bubbles, to your activities or lesson plans this season. If you want to learn about the science of bubbles, let’s dig in! While you’re at it, make sure to check out these other fun STEM activities.

Our science activities and experiments are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind!  Easy to set up, quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are heaps of fun!  Plus, our supplies lists usually contain only free or cheap materials you can source from home!

How Are Bubbles Made?

What’s the science behind bubbles? Bubbles are made up of a thin wall of soapy film that fills with air. You can liken a bubble to a balloon in that a balloon has a thin skin of rubber filled with air.

However, when two bubbles of similar size meet, they merge together creating the least possible surface area. Balloons, of course can not do this!

The film that makes the bubble has three layers. A thin layer of water is sandwiched between two layers of soap molecules. Each soap molecule is oriented so that its polar (hydrophilic) head faces the water, while its hydrophobic hydrocarbon tail extends away from the water layer.

When bubbles of different sizes meet, one will become a bulge onto the larger bubble. You may start to notice that when you get a ton of bubbles going that they start to form hexagons. Bubbles will form 120 degree angles where they meet.  

That means that whatever shape a bubble has when it is first formed, it will try to become a sphere. That’s because a sphere is the shape that has the least ​surface area and requires the least energy to achieve.​

Blowing into a container of bubble solution is a great way to observe how bubbles attach to each other!

Turn It Into A Bubbles Science Project

Science projects are an excellent tool for older kiddos to show what they know about science! Plus, they can be used in all sorts of environments including classrooms, homeschool, and groups.

Kids can take everything they have learned about using the scientific method, stating a hypothesis, choosing variables, and analyzing and presenting data.

Want to turn one of these experiments into an awesome science fair project? Check out these helpful resources.

Bubble Solution Recipe

Bubble science is real and fun! Make up some homemade bubble mix and start investigating bubbles.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of water
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 1 cup of dish soap

Instructions:

Add all your ingredients to a container and mix together. Your bubble mixture is ready to use!

Bouncing Bubbles

Can you make a bubble bounce without it breaking? This bubble experiment is fun to try!

Supplies: 

  • Tablespoon measure and a one-cup measure
  • Paper cups and marker
  • Straws, eyedropper, apple slicer (optional) and baster for blowing bubbles
  • Simple glove (bouncing bubbles)
  • Towel (wipe up accidents and keep surfaces clean)

How To Make A Bouncing Bubble

We used our baster to blow a large bubble onto our hand with the bubble solution.

Then we used a gardening glove to gently bounce our bubble!

We also made bubbles with an apple slicer. Simply, place it in the solution and then wave it through the air to create the bubbles. What else can you use?

Want to stick a skewer through a bubble, without popping it? Have a go!

More Bubbles Science Experiments

Now you have mixed up your bubble solution, explore bubble science with one of these fun bubble activities perfect for preschoolers!

Geometric Bubbles

Can bubbles be different shapes? This special geometric bubbles activity combines a bit of math, engineering, and science as well.  Build your own geometric bubble wands and explore bubble shapes.

Freezing Bubbles In Winter

A fun bubble activity for winter. What happens when you blow bubbles in winter?

Winter bubble activity freezing bubbles frozen bubbles activity

3D Bubble Shapes

Bubble blowing, homemade bubble wands, and 3D bubble structures are all an incredible way to explore bubble science any day of the year. 

More Simple Experiments For Kids

Helpful Science Resources

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

Printable Science Projects For Kids

If you’re looking to grab all of the printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets, our Science Project Pack is what you need!