As the weather warms up it is nice to have the ingredients on hand to mix up some outside fun in less than five minutes.

This bubble recipe is simple and makes big tough bubbles.

Add an art activity by creating bubble wands and blowers. Bubble blowing will always be fresh and fun by adding a variety of kitchen gadgets each time you bring out the bubbles.

What You Need

•Six cups of water

•One cup of liquid dish soap

•One tablespoon of glycerin (found in pharmacies or ordered online) or onefourth cup of corn syrup

•Mixing bowl

•Container with lid to store the mixture

Note: Letting the mixture sit overnight will produce stronger super bubbles.

What You Do

Slowly stir the dish soap into the water until it is well mixed. Stir it slowly to avoid developing foam.

Gently add the glycerin and mix.

Select a container conducive to the type of tools the children will be using. The tool should be fully immersed into the mixture to adhere to the tool.

Wave or blow the implement to make bubbles.

Store remaining mixture in a container with a lid.

It has a long shelf life and will get stronger with age.

DIY Bubble Wands

There are many ways to make a bubble wand or blower. Look around the house to find unique objects or get creative by making some.

Here are some ideas to start with.

•Slotted spoons

•Strainers to wave through the air

•Funnels to dip and blow through the small end

•Potato masher

Art Wands

Bendable wire or pipe cleaners make a creative way to frame a bubble. Make squares, trangles, flowers or hearts.

Embellish wire wands with pony beads to the wire before bending for an additional bubble effect.

To create a plastic bottle blower, cut the bottom off a plastic water or juice bottle. Dip it into the mixture and blow giant bubbles.

Tie sticks handles to each end of a rope.

Dip into the mixture and wave into the air to make super duper big bubbles.

Robin Ballmer is a children’s art advocate and program coordinator.