Geometric Bubble Activity

Geometric Bubble Activity

A few quick supplies and you are good to go. You can use a pre-made bubble solution or make your own homemade bubble solution recipe.

YOU WILL NEED

• Pipe cleaners
• Bubble solution
• Beads
• Shallow Pan

HOW TO MAKE BUBBLE SHAPES

Can you blow geometric shape bubbles? Let’s find out!

Use your pipe cleaners to form different shapes from bubbles. You can either make your shapes 2D or 3D.

See how to make 3D bubble wands here.

If you make your shapes 3D, you can use them as a structure for making shaped bubbles, otherwise…

Bubbles will come out round no matter what shape the wand is.

• Want to make bouncing bubbles?
• Want to stick a skewer through a bubble without popping it?
• Want to blow bubbles out of weird objects?

To check out more bubble science, click here. 

Ask your kids if they think the bubbles will all come out the same shape or if they think they will come out in different shapes. Most young kids will say that the bubbles will come out in the same shape as the bubble wand.  

Science with young kids is all about asking questions! Encourage questions, exploration, and self-discovery!

What are Geometric Shapes?

Kids are introduced to Geometric shapes as basic two-dimensional figures early on to help them understand spatial relationships, symmetry, and basic mathematical concepts.

Here are some popular geometric shapes for kids:

Circle: A simple closed curve where all points are equidistant from the center.

Square: A four-sided polygon with all sides of equal length and all interior angles at 90 degrees.

Triangle: A three-sided polygon with various types, including equilateral (all sides and angles equal), isosceles (two sides and two angles equal), and scalene (all sides and angles different).

Rectangle: A four-sided polygon with opposite sides of equal length and all interior angles at 90 degrees.

Oval: Similar to a circle but stretched horizontally or vertically, creating an elongated shape.

Pentagon: A five-sided polygon with five interior angles and five sides.

Hexagon: A six-sided polygon with six interior angles and six sides.

Octagon: An eight-sided polygon with eight interior angles and eight sides.

Heart: A symmetrical shape that resembles a heart symbol.

Star: A shape with five or more points and symmetrical arms extending from a central point.

What are bubbles?

Bubbles are thin liquid films enclosing a pocket of air or other gas. They can be made from a water and soap mixture or other liquids with appropriate properties (including the addition of glycerin or corn syrup). The film of a bubble is made up of water molecules (in the case of soap bubbles) and is very flexible, allowing it to trap the air inside. Did you know a bubble has three “walls” like a sandwich? The outer walls are a thin layer of soap with a layer of water sandwiched in between them.

How are bubbles formed?

Bubbles are formed when air (or another gas) is blown into a liquid that contains soap or other substances that lower the liquid’s surface tension. Surface tension is the force that holds the molecules of a liquid together, creating a thin, elastic “skin” on its surface. Blowing air into the soapy water stretches the surface tension of the water mixture to form a sphere, creating a bubble.

Why are bubbles round?

Bubbles are round because the sphere is the shape with the least amount of surface area for a given volume. In nature, many things try to minimize energy, and a sphere is the most energy-efficient shape for enclosing a given volume of air.

Popping bubbles:

Bubbles can be easily popped by touching them or when they come into contact with dry surfaces. This happens because the water in the bubble film evaporates (remember the sandwich from above), causing the film to thin and break. When the bubble pops, the air inside is released into the atmosphere.

Try bouncing bubbles for a neat bubble science activity!