Giant Bubbles for Sensory Play: A Joyful Activity for Neurodivergent Kids

What if the simple joy of chasing giant bubbles could also help a child self-regulate, improve focus, and feel more at ease? For neurodivergent kids, sensory-rich activities like giant bubble play are powerful tools for connection, regulation, and – just as importantly – fun.

In this post, we’ll explore how sensory play supports neurodivergent kids and share how you can make your own giant bubble solution and homemade wands.

Sensory Play with Giant Bubbles in Action

Giant Bubbles as Sensory Play For Neurodivergent Kids

Sensory play involves activities that engage a child’s senses – sight, sound, touch, smell, and movement. Common examples include fidget toys, play dough, sensory bins, textured blocks, and more.

This kind of play benefits all children, but it can be especially meaningful for neurodivergent kids. It can help them regulate emotions, improve focus, and feel more at ease in their bodies and environments.

Giant bubble play has been my family’s favorite kind of sensory play for the past nine years. Visually, the bubbles are captivating. This play encourages full-body movement when kids chase after the bubbles. It facilitates concentration as they learn how to use the giant wands to form bubbles. It takes practice – and a little patience – to get a good one. The trial-and-error process is part of the magic. It also creates opportunities for low-pressure social connection.

Research shows that sensory play supports a wide range of developmental needs. According to Palumbo (2023), sensory-rich activities help children build self-regulation, problem-solving skills, and creativity. These activities are especially beneficial for sensory-seeking or sensory-sensitive kids. They allow children to tailor their environment in ways that bring comfort and support their unique sensory needs (Palumbo, 2023).

The Cornell University Cooperative Extension (2023) highlights several key benefits of sensory play:

• Physical awareness – supports balance (vestibular system) and body awareness (proprioception)

• Cognitive growth – enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills through experimentation

• Emotional regulation – provides an outlet for self-expression, emotional regulation, and stress relief

• Language development – expands vocabulary with kids describing observations, preferences, and experiences

• Social connection – encourages cooperative play with turn-taking, sharing materials, and negotiating roles (Cornell University Cooperative Extension, 2023)

Giant bubbles offer all of these benefits in one joyful package and are one of the easiest forms of outdoor sensory play for neurodivergent kids.

And the best part? You don’t need fancy tools or expensive kits. For my family, building the wands and making the bubble solution are part of the fun and experimentation.

Below, you’ll find a simple recipe and a guide for creating DIY wands.

Homemade Bubble Solution

Over the years, my kids and I have experimented with a handful of homemade bubble recipes. This one works the best for us. It’s simple to make and produces strong bubbles.

Ingredients

• 1 gallon (16 cups) cold water

• 2 teaspoons guar gum powder (a natural thickener, often found online or in specialty stores)

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• a splash of glycerin or rubbing alcohol (see step three in the instructions for context)

• 1 cup Dawn Platinum dish soap (this specific type works best for us)

Instructions

1. Fill a clean bucket with the water (we use a five-gallon bucket).

   
   

2. In a separate bowl, mix the guar gum and baking powder together.

   
   

3. Add a splash of glycerin or rubbing alcohol to the dry ingredients until they form a slurry (a smooth, semi-liquid paste).

   
   

4. Pour the slurry into the bucket of water and stir gently to combine.

   
   

5. Slowly add the dish soap to the mixture. Stir gently to avoid creating foam.

You can use the solution right after mixing. If it becomes too bubbly, the bubbles won’t form as well. Let it sit for a while to allow the foam to settle before using.

We usually use the entire batch in one session, but if you need to store it, pour the leftover solution into a clean, empty milk jug or other airtight container. Just give it a gentle stir before using it again.

How to Make the Giant Bubble Wand

Materials for One Wand

• 2 wooden dowels (about two feet long each)

  
  

• 2 screws

  
  

• 2 metal washers

  
  

• 5 feet of braided cotton cord (100% cotton) — plus a few extra inches for tying a knot

Instructions

DIY Bubble Wand Details

1. Drill pilot holes. Using a drill bit slightly smaller than your screws, drill a hole into one end of each dowel. This prevents the wood from splitting when you attach the cord using a screw.

   
   

2. Cut the cord. Measure and cut a bit more than 5 feet of cotton cord. The extra length allows room for tying knots. The goal is to form a triangle shape, with each side approximately 20 inches.

   
   

3. Add the washers. Thread both washers onto the cord. These add a little weight to help keep the triangle open when dipping the wand into the bubble solution.

   
   

4. Shape the triangle. Adjust the cord into a triangle, aiming for equal sides (~20 inches). Use the labeled image above for reference to see where the washers and knot should go.

   
   

5. Attach the cord to the dowels. Use the screws to fasten the cord into the pilot holes on the dowels.

   
   

6. Secure with a knot. Tie tight knot to form a closed triangle.

Variation: You can use eye screws instead of screwing the cord directly into the dowels. If you go this route, you'll need to thread the cord through the eye screws before tying your triangle.

Tip: Make sure the cord is 100% cotton—synthetic material won’t hold the bubble solution as well.

Tips for Bubble Success

Creating giant bubbles is part science and part art. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:

• Use cotton cord. It holds the bubble solution better than nylon or synthetic materials, helping form a stronger film. We use braided cotton cord that is 100% cotton. Cotton cord is thicker than cotton twine, which helps the cord hold more bubble solution.

• Make sure the triangle shape holds a film. The cord should be soaked and stretched into a triangle. If you’re not seeing a film, the solution might be too foamy. Let it sit and settle.

• Stir gently when mixing. Too much foam or agitation can make it harder to form bubbles.

• Try walking backwards slowly after lifting the wand. A gentle, steady motion helps stretch the bubble film into the air. However, I have also seen kids spin with the wands and create beautiful bubbles that are like long tails.

• Avoid windy conditions. A light breeze can help, but too much wind pops bubbles quickly.

  
  

• We find that using glycerin, rather than rubbing alcohol, produces better bubbles (glycerin is more expensive).

  
  

• Achieving the right consistency for the bubble solution slurry requires practice. The more you create the solution, the easier it becomes to "sense" the best consistency. We have a YouTube video that illustrates how to make the solution, and the slurry consistency shown in the video serves as an excellent example. Check the end of this post for the video.

  
  

• Our wands that use five feet of cotton cord (20 inches on each side of the triangle) are big enough for younger kids to handle but not so big that they trip on the cord. We have a fun wand that has longer cord, and it works, but it's a bit harder for smaller kids to hold up higher. Consider adjusting the cord length to fit the kid or grownup.

• Experiment! The best way to learn what works is to try different movements, cord lengths, or even solution ratios. What works one day might need adjustment the next.

Lasting Joy

Mom and Child Engaging in Giant Bubble Sensory Play

For my kids and me, giant bubbles have bought joy for years. We’ve taken them to BBQs, community events, park days, and birthday parties. They always draw a crowd. Somehow, all of our original wands from nine years ago are still going strong.

If you’re ever in need of a family-friendly gift, consider putting together a bubble kit: a clean bucket, a printed recipe, and a homemade wand. It’s simple, fun, and full of possibility.

Giant bubbles don’t require much, but they offer a lot. A little soap, a little cord, and a little breeze can create moments of wonder that you’ll remember for years.

And if you're looking for another fun outdoor activity, try Mentos and Diet Coke geysers. You'll find details and tips in this post.

Jen with Cool Wiring

Cool Wiring's video version of how to make the DIY Wand and Giant Bubble Solution.

References

Palumbo, J. (2023, October 10). The power of sensory play in childhood development. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferpalumbo/2023/10/10/the-power-of-sensory-play-in-childhood-development/

Cornell University Cooperative Extension. (2023, October 6). The benefits of sensory play. Cornell Community Education. https://blogs.cornell.edu/communityeducation/2023/10/06/the-benefits-of-sensory-play/