It’s that time of year where my son wants to be outside all day every day. We spend hours every week blowing bubbles, playing in the bubbles I blow, popping bubbles and dumping out bubble solution… just me? Probably not. So, I’ve learned how to make my own bubble solution and I wanted to share the easy recipe with you.
Homemade bubble solution is great for when you run out of store bought and want to refill a container (like bubble wands). It’s a fun way to teach kids that you can make things at home, similar to our homemade sidewalk chalk paint! I’ve included a base recipe along with an alternate version sharing how to make bubble solution without glycerin.
Recipe Overview: Homemade Bubble Solution
Time Needed: 15-20 minutes, additional for cleanup.
What You’ll Need: water, dish soap, granulated sugar and optional glycerin
Safety note: Thiese homemade bubbles are for play, it is not edible. Always supervise children to make sure they don’t put bubble solution in their mouths.
Storage: I store in an old bubble container, You can reuse any plastic container with a lid to store your bubble solution.
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Key Ingredients
- Glycerin – also used for cake decorating – 1 tablespoon
- Dish soap – any brand and color – 2 tablespoons
- Granulated white sugar – 1 teaspoon
Get the full list of ingredients and measurements on the printable recipe card below.
Tips and Ideas
- We play with our homemade bubble liquid with my son’s bubble lawn mower, bubble wands, and a shaped wand set.
- You can also make your own bubble wands from pipe cleaners you twist into whatever shape you like!
- Hooray to You! – We know firsthand how much time and effort it takes to make childhood magic, so we just want to say that if that’s you, we are cheering you on! It’s a lot to plan activities, get supplies, and inevitably clean up after. Go you!
How to Make Homemade Bubble Solution
Step 1. In a small mixing bowl or glass measuring cup, stir together the water, glycerin if you’re using it, and granulated white sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Then stir in the dish soap. If your dish soap has a color, the solution will take on this color as well.
Step 2. Pour the solution into whatever storage container you want to use. You will want to use something with a lid or cap so the solution won’t spill or dry out when not in use.
Bubble Solution Recipe FAQ’s
What dish soap is the best for homemade bubble solution?
Dawn dish soap works the best for making bubble solution!
Do you have to use glycerin to make homemade bubble solution?
No! You can use water, sugar and dish soap as an alternate way to make bubble solution.
How do I store homemade bubbles?
You can reuse any plastic container with a lid to store your bubble solution.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon glycerin
- 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
- 2 tablespoons dish soap (I recommend Dawn dish soap)
Bubble Solution without Glycerin
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp granulated white sugar
- ¼ cup dish soap (I recommend Dawn dish soap)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl or glass measuring cup, stir together the water, glycerin, and granulated white sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
- Then, stir in the dish soap. If your dish soap has a color, the bubble solution will take on this color as well.
- Pour the bubble solution into whatever storage container you want to use. You will want to use something with a lid or cap so the solution won’t spill or dry out when not in use.
Notes
- If you need to omit the glycerine, increase the dish soap to 1/4 cup and the sugar to 2 teaspoons.
- I recommend storing in an old bubble container! You can also store in any plastic container with a lid.
- Safety reminder that an adult should supervise bubble play so that children don’t ingest the bubble solution, it is not edible or food safe.
Made this for our bubble machine, and it works like a charm!
My son and I play with bubbles in the backyard almost everyday right now. So helpful to be able to make my own bubble solution when we run out!