Learn how to make bubbles with seven amazing recipes! From a favorite homemade bubble solution to a creative mix made with food coloring, we’re sharing everything you need to know about this fun summer pastime!
Welcome to the most popular page on my blog! This article was updated in June 2020 in an effort to make sure you had as much helpful information as possible. All of the original content is still here. We’ve just added more details and one new recipe to help you have the best experience with your favorite little ones!
The warm weather has reminded me that I’ve been wanting to share how to make bubbles! We’ve been making our own for years now, and I have so many tips and ideas for you!
There are plenty of homemade bubble recipes to try out once you know the basic formula.
Some are really simple with ingredients I’m almost positive you have in your home. Other instructions have ingredients that are a bit more obscure.
Related posts:
Try my super recipe for unbreakable bubbles!
How to make giant bubbles!
Bubble Snakes: How to make a sock bubble blower.
The most straightforward and easy homemade recipes consist of just liquid dish soap and water. In fact, you’ll find that every recipe starts with plain water and soap of some sort.
But there are some that have some additions you might not expect.
I put together a quick FAQ to answer some questions you might have.
FAQ:
Where can I buy glycerin for bubbles?
While you can make a simple mixture with a few basic ingredients, I’ve found that the best solutions and mixes contain glycerin.
Glycerin can be found in the cake decorating area of most craft stores.
If you’re near a Michael’s, you can find it with the cake and candy-making supplies or with soap-making products. 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. Reviews show that it’s the best!
- Wilton glycerin
- NOW 100% pure vegetable glycerine
- Yaley Soapsations liquid glycerine
These are the varieties of glycerin with great reviews:
Vegetable Kosher Glycerin, 1 Quart
NOW Solutions Vegetable Glycerine, 16-OunceYaley Soapsations Liquid Glycerine, 8-OunceWilton Glycerin, 2 Ounces
What is the sugar for?
From what I understand, it seems that the answer is simply in the stickiness of pure sugar. Sugar in your mixture simply makes the solution “stick” and last longer.
What does corn syrup do?
Corn syrup works the same way sugar does. It helps make them last longer.
What’s the best dishwashing detergent to use?
An extensive Google search revealed that almost everyone stood behind Dawn Original dish soap as the best dish soap.
What makes the best bubbles?
There are lots of opinions over the best recipes out there. I recommend trying them all, then choosing your favorite one to make over and over again!
Personally, I love that you can make the most basic formula with just soap and water — it’s just so easy. At the same time, I’d only make that in a pinch. But amazing things happen when you add a few more ingredients!
I’d have to say that glycerin makes the biggest difference in DIY bubbles.
If you make a homemade solution without glycerin, then make the same mix with glycerin you’ll absolutely notice how much better the second one is!
Are there any dish soaps that shouldn’t be used?
Yes. Generic soaps that are usually found at dollar stores and the like are generally too watered down to produce a quality product.
Do you have an organic bubble recipe?
Yes, you can easily make homemade organic bubbles by using organic ingredients!
You can find the measurements and directions below with the rest, and here are the ingredients you can use to make up your organic mixture:
- Water
- Sky Organics non-GMO, chemical-free glycerin
- Dr. Bronner’s Organic Pure Castile liquid soap or an organic dish soap
- Trader Joe’s organic, non-GMO sugar
These are the products listed above:
Organic Vegetable Glycerin by Sky OrganicsDr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap – UnscentedTrader Joe’s Organic Sugar
Can I use these indoors?
The Basic homemade recipe shouldn’t cause any problems indoors. It’s just diluted soap. Still, make sure you’re ok with them popping on upholstery fabric, special flooring or anything else in your home.
Take care with the mixtures containing sugar and corn syrup, as they may leave a sticky residue on surfaces.
Finally, the Beautiful and Jello formulas both contain small amounts of food coloring and dye, so it’s probably best to save those for outdoor use.
How should I store my solution?
Store all of the homemade mixtures in an airtight, labeled container. A clean glass mason jar or jelly jar works perfectly.
Many of these mixtures actually get better with age. If the mixture has sat for more than a few weeks, give the container a gentle swirl to combine the ingredients that may have separated. Don’t shake the container.
How to Make Bubbles
Basic Homemade Bubbles Recipe
1 Cup water
1 Tablespoon Dawn dishwashing liquid (or any other kind of dish soap)
Combine the water and dishwashing liquid in a cup, bottle or dish. Stir gently and thoroughly to combine. Dip your wand and get started!
Deluxe Mix
1 quart (4 cups) warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup dishwashing liquid
Combine the sugar and the warm water. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Add the dishwashing liquid and stir again. Store in an airtight container.
Crazy Deluxe Mix (in my opinion, this is the best recipe!)
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons liquid dish or laundry detergent
1 tablespoon glycerin
1 teaspoon white sugar
Gently stir all ingredients together and store in a airtight container. These ones have staying power! Given the right conditions you might lose sight of them before they pop!
Jello Bubbles
1 part dishwashing liquid
1 part Jello brand (or generic) powder, any flavor/color
8 to 10 parts warm water
Gently combine all three ingredients. Avoid creating suds by mixing too vigorously. Suds will affect the “bubbliness” of your mixture.
Tear-Free Bubble Solution
1/4 cup tear-free baby shampoo
3/4 cup water
3 Tablespoons light corn syrup
Mix all ingredients, then wait for the suds to settle before using.
Beautiful Colors {with food coloring}
1/3 cup dishwashing liquid
1 1/4 cups water
2 teaspoons sugar
1 drop food coloring
Combine all ingredients together in a jar or other resealable container. Use outside to avoid staining any indoor fixtures, carpet or upholstery.
Non-Toxic Bubble Solution
1/4 cup natural, biodegradable dish detergent (Like Seventh Generation Free and Clear)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon glycerin
Mix up all ingredients in a resealable container. Let stand overnight for best results.
Organic Bubble Solution
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons liquid organic castile soap
1 tablespoon organic glycerin
1 teaspoon organic white sugar
Gently stir all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Do not shake.
Do you have a favorite formula that I didn’t share? Please share it in the comments!
image credit: Maricel Cruz
Image credit for featured image.
How to Make Bubbles for Kids
How to make bubbles for kids - the best DIY homemade bubbles recipe
Materials
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons liquid dish detergent or laundry detergent
- 1 tablespoon glycerin
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
Tools
- Mason jar or airtight container
- Teaspoon measuring spoon
- Tablespoon measuring spoon
- Liquid measuring cup
Instructions
adam says
Thanks for the recipes!
Marie says
We made three of the recipes for a Girl Scout science project. Lots of fun!
Marybeth Hamilton says
I’m so happy to hear that, Marie! Bubbles are so much fun for all ages!
Tiffany, Khyra's Mommy says
The reason I love this so much is that in the town I live in there are very few stores that specialize in toys. My daughter and I have tried bubble after bubble and the bubbles just suck! They are off brand, weak and sometimes even expensive. I know there are some good ones out there but just not in my town. I never wanted to make my own bubbles either because soap and water is just as bad as the store brought ones.
These recipes and the article attached have opened my eyes to bubbles. Glycerin is about to cut my bubble budget in half for the year! Thank you so much!
Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says
What kid doesn’t like bubbles? These are some fun recipes.
Barbara Platt says
MOMtrepreneur Tip of the Day:
Babysavers has 7 of the Best Homemade Bubble Recipes
Jan @ Handcrafted by Picto says
Bubbles are great, I had a brill time in the garden with my grandson happily blowing bubbles, the colours were fantastic.
Jan x
Donna says
Great ideas! Bubbles are such a great way to entertain kids (of all ages).
Marina at My Busy Children says
amazing recipes. I need to get some glycerin and make Crazy Deluxe Bubbles!
I wonder if they will turn out better with corn syrup instead of sugar..
Marybeth Hamilton says
I’d love to hear about it if you try different recipe variations with corn syrup and sugar. Please let me know how it turns out!
Nancy says
Doesn’t the sugar attract ants?
Marybeth Hamilton says
I’ve never left it outside and the bubble residue is so minimal and spread out I really don’t think it’s an issue.
Johnnely Roque says
Its fun
Whitney says
This would be the perfect way to end summer. Thanks for the recipes!
Love says
We love bubbles like nobody knows… Thanks for posting the recipes. Will have try all of these out soon.
Marybeth Hamilton says
I love them, too! They’re such an easy and fun activity.
Anthea says
Never had much success with homemade bubbles. Will give it another try. I must find a good substitute for Dawn, though.
Marybeth Hamilton says
Why do you need a substitute for Dawn? It’s a fantastic dish detergent!
Penelopie says
Yes, why indeed do you need another liquid detergent? Can you not find dawn? I just got some at the dollar store.
Nikky says
I use natural dish soap to avoid chemicals. There is a recipe for natural bubbles above. I refill mine at the bulk store.
joyce says
Once you make the bubbles and have them in something like a mason jar what do you use for a wand or ‘bubble producer’? Feeling a little dense here :).
Penelopie says
a bent wire or pipe cleaner, a drinking straw, or a piece of cotton twine tied in a loop all make great bubble blowing tools. the cotton ishow on a breazy day you can get bubbles the size of a man.
Elizabeth says
I would use a tear-free version of the solution if you are using pipe cleaners to blow bubbles with younger kids. The solution will wick up the pipe cleaner and make the whole thing soapy, and a small child doesn’t necessarily know better than to wipe their eyes with soapy fingers. We learned that lesson with my 2 and a half year old (at the time) last summer.
teli says
i got a bubble gun and the bubbles were bad then i tried these bubbles and they made it fun!
ashly says
i use dish wat hrdishand watre
Serrica Michalek says
I didn’t have food coloring, so I used the colored sugar sprinkles, just a little bit, and it did a wonderful job! 🙂 thank you for the awesome recipes!
Salma says
I like making this experiment.
HEATHER FELTON says
I was hoping to make a batch to use at Disney to entertain young kids. Would substituting the 7th generation dish soap work in the crazy deluxe recipe? I want something that won’t hurt the flora/fauna (and other guest) at the park. Also, any suggestions on good ways to make bubbles portable for traveling that isn’t a mess. I was going to buy cheap bubbles at the dollar store and just empty them out, so I have the wand and container, but am open to suggestions.
Crystal says
Heather, you can get something called a Bubble Bucket (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007KGZG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00007KGZG&linkCode=as2&tag=baby0d24-20&linkId=EZXVM5TOIIT6KPKS) or a smaller version called a Bubble Tumbler that can be carried and keep the solution from spilling as you walk around. It’s not spill-proof, but keeps the bubbles better than an open jar might. 🙂 The dollar store container would work fine, but these might be easier to transport and share wands, if you wanted to do that.
Good luck!
fudge lover says
not as good as my fudge
Deloris says
Can these bubbles recipes be used in a bubble machine?
Marybeth Hamilton says
Yes they can!
Keekster says
I am trying some with my dad. My friend sent me to this website because she got hers from here. She says they are awesome. Wish me luck on this!
Marybeth Hamilton says
you’re going to have so much fun! Be sure to tell me which recipe you used!
Sath Sath says
This is a fantastic post.
Marybeth Hamilton says
Thank you very much, Sath!
Suzi says
Glycerin is very hard a little ones’ mucus membranes. Because of that, I use corn syrup–about 1/2 cup to a Tbsp of glycerin. A much better choice.
Marybeth Hamilton says
Thanks for the tip!
Jan says
for the jello bubbles are the parts cups, teaspoons, tablespoons, or what ?
Jan says
my child is doing bubbles for her science fair project and we need to know the answer to what the parts of jello bubbles are like the measurements
Marybeth Hamilton says
Hello, “parts” means you can use any measurement you’d like, just substitute the measurement that fits your container and your need. If you want a small batch of Jello bubbles use tablespoons:
1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid
1 tablespoon Jello brand (or generic) powder, any flavor/color
8 to 10 tablespoons warm water
If you want a large batch use cups:
1 cup dishwashing liquid
1 cup Jello brand (or generic) powder, any flavor/color
8 to 10 cups warm water
I hope that makes sense!
Nikky says
I went for deluxe but should have tried basic and should have read on as I later saw the natural recipe using 1/4 cup of natural dish soap which is what I used. Using 1/2 cup as directed in deluxe recipe made for a big clean up. I could have moped the floors of the entire house there was so much soap on the kitchen floor. But kids had a bit of fun. Don’t know if the fast popping bubbles was what made them loose interest quickly but that was prop my dish soap that caused this problem not the recipe. Hopefully letting it sit will make it work better tomorrow. I hope so since I have almost a litre. If not ill divide it out a few times and try adding some more water to make it less soapy and maybe water + sugar to make it the right amount of all ingredients. The mess I make for myself by not following and reading all the instructions. But I do love this page and will be referring to it again when I need to make more. Thank you very much for sharing all your recipes and also so well written. 🙂
Morgan Livie says
There are some really fancy ingredients for bubbles on here one thing iv noticed is a warm liquid wont make bubbles as well as a colder one will some put it in the fridge before use not the freezer. Dont shake the bottle either this froths it up and its not good for bubbles and wash all your wands and bottles well dirt and dust is a no no.
christy ruble says
My dog like popping bubbles is their something without dish soap you could use or something else that won’t make sick