Homemade Bubble Solution Using Corn Syrup

I love making homemade bubble solution because you can mix up BIG batches and it stores well for a long time. It's also cost-effective for families, teachers, and camp directors who can go through it quickly!

There are a lot of recipes for homemade bubble solution but I like this one because it's really easy to make and uses no specialty ingredients. I have tried solutions with harder to find ingredients but I haven't really found them to be any better than this simple recipe I have used for years.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 1 day

Total Time 1 day 5 minutes

Ingredients

3 Cups Water (distilled water is preferred but tap works fine)
1/2 Cup Dish Soap
1/2 Tablespoon Clear Corn Syrup

Instructions

Combine all three ingredients in a large mixing bowl
Gently stir to combine.
Store in an airtight container
Use immediately or wait 24 hours for solution to meld.

Notes

The longer this solution sits the better it will become.
This solution can be stored for up to a year in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0

Homemade Bubble Solution Ratios

If you'd like to mix up a large batch of solution use the following ratios:

1 Gallon Distilled Water
2 2/3 Cup Dish Soap
2 1/2 Tablespoons Clear Corn Syrup

And if you'd like to mix up a HUGE batch of solution use the following ratios:

2 Gallons Distilled Water
5 Cups Dish Soap
1/3 Cup Clear Corn Syrup

When I mix up homemade bubble solution for camp I use a large painter's bucket with a lid. That way I can mix it and transport it easily. It's also great to use the bucket for dipping in large bubble wands or the amazing square bubble wands.

The Science of Bubbles

Bubbles are made from a soapy membrane that has air trapped inside. The membrane is actually a sandwich consisting of an inner and outer layer of soap with a layer of water between them. When you blow a bubble you are trapping air inside the soap-water sandwich and it grows larger and larger.

Bubbles illustrate surface tension. Surface tension is a force that holds molecules together on the surface of a liquid. Molecules on the surface of a liquid hold tightly together in a thin membrane that is flexible but fragile. This tension holds liquid molecules together even seeming to defy gravity at times! Think about when you pour water into a glass. As it reaches the top of the glass you can continue adding water carefully and it will not spill over at first. It will actually rise above the edge of the glass and bulge like elastic until the force it too great and eventually the water spills over.

Bubbles pop for several reasons. The bubble membrane is fragile and when it comes into contact with a gust of wind, a finger, or another object it breaks. Bubbles also pop because eventually the water in the soap-water membrane evaporates as it comes into contact with dry air. This means that bubbles blown on a cold day should last longer than those blown on a hot day when evaporation occurs faster. For more science behind bubbles go here.

Now that you have mixed up homemade bubble solution why not try making more DIY art supplies? This is a great way to save money and teach your kids how to be resourceful makers! Here are more DIY art materials to try making: