Bubbles are universally loved by babies and toddlers, and are a wonderful way of spending special magic time with your child and enjoying the moment.
Bubbles also encourage many areas of development and learning. For example:
- Blowing bubbles develops the small muscles in your child’s mouth as they blow. Strengthening these muscles is important for developing their ability to form clear sounds when speaking and to eat and swallow safely.
- Children can reach to pop bubbles and build hand-eye coordination as they reach.
- Younger infants and toddlers learn to follow the bubbles with their eyes. Because bubbles are both eye-catching and slow-moving, they are a great way to help your little one learn to use her eyes and develop visual skills.
Why not make your own bubbles?
Materials:
- 1 large container (a transparent jar is good as it allows your child to observe what’s happening inside)
- ½ cup of washing-up liquid
- ½ cup of water
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
Method
- Pour the washing-up liquid into the jar,
- Add the water, then sugar
- Stir gently
You can use just about anything to make bubbles move if you do not already have a bubble wand:
- Plastic soft drink bottles: Cut the bottom off the bottle and dip. Use the lid end of the bottle to blow your bubbles.
- Drinking straws: These will make tiny bubbles.
- Pipe cleaners: Make into a circle or try another shape
- Plastic funnel: This already has a natural shape for a bubble wand. Use the large end to dip in your mixture and the small end to blow.
Making a sock bubble blower!
Materials:
- Plastic bottle
- Child’s sock
- Elastic band or tape
- Washing up liquid
- Scissors
Method:
- Cut the bottom off the bottle
- Pull the sock over the bottom of the bottle to cover the hole.
- Secure with either an elastic band or tape.
- Dip the bottom sock part of the bottle in bubble solution (washing up liquid and water is fine).
You and your child can have fun being creative by decorating the sock with pens, crayons, paint, gems or make a funny face. Let their imagination go wild!
