The boys and I were looking for something new and fun to do on a particularly windy and overcast morning this past week. I was finishing up the breakfast dishes and remembered that bubble painting with dish soap was on our project to-do list, and I figured it would be the perfect day for it.
The first thing I did (beside gathering up my eager project testers and covering them up in painting aprons) was to cover my countertop – we like to use shower curtains from the dollar store because they clean up nicely, they are reusable, and they are a bit thicker than your typical plastic tablecloth. I also put a couple of paper towels underneath each kiddo, because this project has some seriously messy potential!
Supplies needed: Dish soap, paint (we used washable tempera paint), cups, straws and paper. We used white construction paper, but watercolor paper would be especially good if you have some handy.
Pretty! Mix half a cup of water with a generous squirt of both dish soap and paint. Make sure you keep an eye on little ones who might want to drink through the straws. All of the ingredients we used were non-toxic, but I’m sure that a mouthful of paint-and-soap-water wouldn’t be too much fun!
Let the kids go crazy blowing mountains of colored bubbles – they can consider this their payback for all the times you’ve told them not to blow bubbles in their milk!
Really talented kids can even blow multiple cups of bubbles at the same time 😉
Lay your sheet of paper over the top of the bubbles to create the imprint.
Love it! We actually didn’t stop here, and we created something else out of all of our bubble paintings…a birthday present for a special someone…so, we’ll share Phase Two in a bit after the recipient has gotten their gift! 🙂
Alesia says
For younger children milk and food coloring could be used.
Amanda says
Gorgeous! I love it! I will file this away for something to do with Maddie. Thanks!
Deborah says
I love the colors!
Michelle says
These look so cool!!
child central station says
This is fantastic! I’ve never done bubble painting this way! (We’ve always set the paper on the floor and used bubble wands to blow bubbles and let them land and pop on the paper.) I’m inspired, and can’t wait to try! (I’m a new follower of your blog)
simpledaisy says
Ooh…that looks like so much fun!!!
Rachel at Sun Scholars says
I love bubble painting! How fun!
Thanks so much for sharing this at For the Kids Friday at Sun Scholars! I’ll be posting the next link party tonight, so be sure to stop by. I can’t wait to see what you have to share this week!
🙂 rachel @ SunScholars.blogspot.com
Laura says
I love this idea! The painting process looks like it’ll be a blast for the kids and the finished piece is so pretty. This is definitely going on my to-do list.
Thanks for linking up to my Summer Fun party!
Laura @ Come Together Kids
Jill @ A Mom With a Lesson Plan says
Wonderful! It’s one of my favorite activities. I have a little tip for you 😉 I figured out the last time we did this that if you cut a small hole in the straw near the top, that you actually CAN’T suck. You can only blow so no chance of a mouth full of soap!
Laura says
Thanks again for linking this up to my Summer Fun party. I just showcased it in a Five Fun Ideas with Paint post!
http://cometogetherkids.blogspot.com/2011/07/five-fun-ideas-with-paint.html
Anonymous says
Love it! I work in a preschool and we’ve always used food coloring (it doesn’t appear to work as well as the tempra paint). Thanks for the tip!!! I can’t wait to make our Blue Bubble “B’s”
KarenCares says
thanks so much for sharing! i did this at a library when i was a kid. thanks for reminding me of this fun memory. i will share with little ones in the future.
becauseithinkican says
how cute! my kids would love this! And with the nasty weather outside, they are asking for crafts all.the.time. Thanks for sharing!
Leanne @ because (i think) i can
online tutoring says
I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles.