Make Your Own Non-toxic Homemade Bubbles

Lately we’ve been trying to get more outside time in as a family, and that means getting a little creative with playtime. Maybe you don’t have any bubble solution on hand, or maybe you’re just looking for a safe, non-toxic option for your little ones. Whatever the reason, these homemade bubbles will do the trick.

When I was little, all of the cousins would gather at grandma’s house and play outside in the yard during the summer. One of our favorite things to do was get out the hug bubble blowers made out of dowel rods and rope, a bucket of suds, and get busy blowing bubbles. We’d dip our hands in, and even get elbow deep in the stuff.

The problem with conventional bubble solution

Now bubbles don’t really sound that bad, and honestly weren’t first on my list of need to DIY. However, conventional soap contains some pretty nasty ingredients. Dishsoap and handsoap frequently contain sodium laureth sulfate, a skin irritant that is likely contaminated with known cancer causing chemicals. And most of these soaps are also antibacterial, meaning they contribute to superbugs and damage health. You can read more about the dangers of antibacterial cleansers and get a safe, non-toxic recipe for hand sanitizer here.

Now bubble solution may not have antibacterials in it, and maybe the one you have isn’t made with sodium laureth sulfate (though that’s highly unlikely), but it’s difficult to know. Since the manufacturers don’t disclose the ingredients, it’s just not possible to know what’s actually in the bubble solution. And what they consider to be non-toxic,  I may not consider non-toxic. Since my son is spilling this stuff on his shirt, getting it all over his hands, and I’m hoping he won’t drink it, I want to be positive his bubble solution is actually non-toxic.

Natural soap

I used Seventh Generation brand dishsoap for this recipe, but your brand of natural dishsoap may work too. Mine uses sodium lauryl (not laureth) sulfate, but sodium coco sulfate, which is derived from coconuts, should probably work. I can’t guarantee the results of every brand though, as they’re made with different surfactants.

Colored and scented bubbles

When I told my husband I was going to make colored bubbles, he asked me what the point was. While the bubbles don’t look any different once they’re blown, they look fun and colorful in the jar. You can even add some essential oils for a scented, aromatherapy version. Lavender is calming and relaxing, while lemon is invigorating. We also add essential oils to playdough for the aromatherapy benefits, like this candy cane playdough.

These additions are completely optional though, and your homemade bubbles will work just fine without them.

Homemade bubbles

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup natural dish soap – the one I used
• 1 tsp glycerin – get non-gmo, coconut derived glycerin here
• 1cup filtered water – the filter we use that also removes fluoride
• 5-10 drops natural food coloring (optional) – the one I used
• 5 drops lavender or lemon essential oil (optional)

Directions:

1. In a glass jar combine the soap, glycerin, essential oil and food coloring if using. Stir the mixture  thoroughly to combine.
2. Add the water and gently stir to incorporate everything. This will suds up some, but you want to avoid sudsing too much, or your bubbles won’t be as strong.
3. Store at room temperate and use liberally for lots of bubbly fun.

What are some of your favorite outdoor activities? Let us know in the comments, and share this recipe with the share buttons below !