Mix up a batch of homemade bubbles solution with a quick and easy backyard play recipe for kids – no glycerin needed.

Homemade bubbles blowing across a grass yard and being blown through a wand by a person.

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Our kids love playing in the backyard and blowing bubbles! We’ve tried tons of store-bought and homemade bubble solution and this one is our favorite to make.

This homemade bubbles recipe is quick and easy to make using liquid dish soap. It’s a bit sticky, so we don’t recommend using it in the bath. It’s also best outdoors because it can be messy.

Many DIY bubble solution recipes call for glycerin – which is handy if you want bubbles that are hard to pop. If you’re looking for where to buy glycerin for bubbles, check the soap-making section of your local craft store. (Science sidebar: Glycerin keeps the bubbles from drying quickly. When they hold water they last longer.)

We don’t think it’s really necessary though and have tons of bubble-blowing fun without it! The trick is to let your recipe sit overnight if you can.

Bubble mixing tips

Dawn dish soap is a popular favorite. We’ve had good luck with Aldi and other store brands too, but some may be too diluted to make strong bubbles.
You can also try baby shampoo or liquid hand soap.
Add food coloring for colorful bubbles.
Save containers from store-bought bubbles to reuse when you make this homemade version!

Bubble blowing play ideas

Make your own wands by bending a pipe cleaner or other wire into a loop.
Try different bubble makers like plastic drinking straws, a water bottle with a squeeze top, slotted spoons, or a clean fly swatter.
Set up an easel or surface with white paper and blow colored bubbles through straws to create art.
Test different bubble wand shapes – and see that they all make round bubbles.

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How to make homemade bubbles

Make an endless supply of bubbles for kids to have fun with backyard bubble blowing.

Supplies

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients.

Combine water and sugar in a microwavable glass container. If using granulated sugar, microwave in 15-30 second bursts and stir to dissolve the sugar. If using corn syrup, the water may come out of the tap hot enough that you can just stir to combine.

Add the dish soap and mix gently.

2. Let the solution rest.

Cover the bubble mixture and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. For the best bubbles, let the mixture rest overnight, about 8 hours.

3. Blow the bubbles!

When you’re ready to play, get out your bubble wands. Dip a wand in the solution and blow! Turn it into a contest to see who can make the biggest or longest-lasting bubble. Have a “bubble battle” and let kids blow bubbles at each other. Or just have fun with it!

4. Store leftover solution.

You probably won’t use all of this mixture at once. Leftover bubble solution can be stored in a glass container with a lid, like a canning jar. There’s no expiration date, but if you keep your bubbles longer than a week you may want to give them a gentle stir (not a shake) before using them again.

Printable instructions