This tutorial will show you how to make bubble foam for sensory play. This is an activity that is great for kids of any age starting as early as age 1. You are never too old to play with bubbles!
This activity uses a few simple ingredients and can be set up in many different ways to make it new and engaging each and every time. It is a great way to cool off on a hot day, a fun way to play at bath time, or a great activity for a rainy day.
When you make foam bubbles, they are great for use in a water table on a hot day. Simply whip up a batch (using one color or many different colors), and empty them into the water table. Add scoops, buckets, and even hide some plastic, waterproof toys in the bubbles and they will keep kids busy for a long time!
Bubble Foam Sensory Bin Ideas
Another way to use bubble foam is to create bubble foam with a theme and use it in a sensory bin. Scroll down for directions on how to create a bubble foam beach sensory play bin. Here is an additional list of ideas to help you create more fun with bubble foam:
- Mix up a few different colors and swirl them together with some sequins and glitter to make unicorn foam.
- Dye bubble foam red, blue, and white(uncolored) to make a 4th of July-themed sensory bin. Add pipe cleaners for fireworks.
- Dye bubble foam all of the different colors of the rainbow and pour them together in order to make the rainbow and work on colors.
- Use red, blue, and yellow bubble foam to practice color mixing and help learn which mixed colors make which colors.
Bubble Foam Beach Sensory Bin
For this sensory bin, you will need to make blue bubble foam using the recipe below. You will also need a large bin, sand, seashells, and plastic fish/sea animals. If you would like a literacy connection as well you can also use plastic letters to spell out the word beach as well as beach-themed books.
Begin by filling half of your bin with sand. Insert your seashells and letters to spell the word beach into the sand. Make your bubble foam and dye it blue for the water. Pour it into the empty side of the bin.
Add fish to the top of the bubble foam (or hide them inside for a search and find activity). Then add scoops and various buckets for play.
How to Make Bubble Foam for Sensory Play
Materials
- Large mixing bowl
- Scoop/ladle
- Hand mixer or immersion blender
- Dish soap
- Water
- Food Coloring
- Optional Sensory tub/bin or water table
Activity:
- Add 1/4 cup dish soap, 1 cup warm water, and 6-12 drops of food coloring in a desired color to a large mixing bowl.
- Insert the hand mixer into the colored soapy water and turn to high power. Blend for 2-3 minutes until large bubbles/peaks form.
- Use a large scoop or ladle to move completed colored bubbles to your sensory bin or water table.
- Repeat the process with the remaining water left in the bowl.
- If desired, repeat the whole process with a different color (or the same color) food coloring until you have the desired amount of bubbles.
Here are some of the books I’d recommend to go along with the beach-themed sensory tray as well as the sensory tools we love to use with our many different sensory trays.
Also, if you’re looking for other fun sensory play ideas be sure to check out my farm sensory play tray or spring sensory bins as well!
This looks like so much fun and so easy to do! Great for playgroup too!
Thanks so much Christine! Yes, it would be a great activity for a playgroup! I wish we had something like that near us to get involved in!
So fun! We love to play with sensory materials at home. Never thought to use the electric mixer though. We bought a hand cranked mixed for the kids to use and it’s amazing. Thank you!
Thanks Nicole! We love our electric mixer. So great for lots of things! I’ve never used a hand cranked mixer before. I will have to check it out!
Ooh this looks like fun!
Thanks so much Nina!
This such a fun idea! I have an asd toddler who absolutely loooves bubbles. I never thought of making a foam out of it! I just bought him a new water table so I will definitely be trying this in there. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Anaiah! I hope he enjoys it!
Absolutely love bubble foam! Thanks for the reminder that I need to make some again. I will use your recipe this time!
Thanks so much Brittany! I hope it goes well!
This looks so easy and not expensive at all. What a great idea. I’m going to try this with my kids while the baby is sleeping. Hopefully it doesn’t get everywhere 😂. I already have anxiety, but pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone is all part of the mom experience lol
Good luck! I hope it goes well! I would definitely recommend trying it outside if the weather is night. It helps prevent so much mess (or at least makes the cleanup way easier!
This post is so on time, It was yesterday when she came to me and said “mama when you’ll have some extra money please buy me some bubbles.” she is just a sweetheart and I really don’t know where this idea came to her little mind.
She’ll love to know that mama has made bubbles at home for her.
thanks, Rachael
So sweet! I am so glad that this came right on time! I hope she enjoys it!
That’s so easy and looks like a ton of fun! I love the idea of adding the bubbles to a water table! This will be a great activity for an upcoming play date. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much. Yes, we love using the water table! The perfect way to cool off on a hot day!
missing childhood days with this! so much fun
Thanks so much Jeannie!
Can’t wait to try this out!!
I hope it goes well and everyone has fun!
This looks like so much fun and so easy too!! Perfect for me to try out this summer with my kiddos.
Yes, so easy. I hope they love it!
This looks so fun! Definitely putting this one in my back pocket for this summer!
Thanks so much Patrice! It is a perfect summer activity!