bubble magic

A few weeks ago, I was at the Pediatric Cardiologist with my daughter, Laura.  As the nurse was doing an EKG to check her heart, Laura became upset.  VERY upset.  The nurse pulled out a bottle of bubbles, started blowing and sent the tears packing.  How quickly we forget the simple things!  A tiny soap bubble can send even the grumpiest toddler into fits of laughter…well worth the price of a tiny bottle of “magic potion”!

Several summers ago I had blown tiny bubbles to the brink of passing out.  I was on a quest…bigger bubbles…giant bubbles!  First on the list was some sort of apparatus.  We tried making wands out of string and straws, coat hangers, etc…  I was not feeling the elation I was looking for.  Within a few keystrokes on the computer I had found www.bigbubblewands.com.  Jackpot!  I ordered the family set of 4 wands.  The wait for them to arrive was near excruciating but it was totally worth it! Of course we quickly ran out of the solution they sent.  The quest continues!  A little more typing and I found a recipe!!! YIPPEE!  I don’t remember where I found this – I apologize profusely if it’s yours!

Giant Bubble Recipe

1 cup regular Dawn dish-washing liquid

1/4 cup light Karo syrup

12 cups water

Pour all in a large container and stir. You can use glycerin (available at the drug store) in place of the syrup – it tends to work better – but it’s not something I had in my cabinet already and the benefits weren’t large enough to warrant an extra errand. I usually triple or quadruple the recipe.  If you put it in an airtight plastic tub, this concoction will last all summer.  Try to keep it free of debris.  Any leaves or froth in the mixture will make it very difficult to get good bubbles. Be warned, this mixture will kill grass.  Bubbles popping on the grass will not kill it but the solution spilling on the grass will.  We learned this the hard way…..

This is hands down the best summer toy at our house. My girls love it. I have made this in a big red wagon for outdoor birthday parties.  Be warned – neighborhood children will flock to your driveway at the mere mention of giant bubbles.  Grown-ups and children alike can’t help being mesmerized.

Happy bubbling!

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