
Bubbles are a delightful loose part that can spark joy and curiosity in children of all ages. With a simple bubble wand and a bottle of soapy solution, kids can blow bubbles of varying sizes, chase them as they float through the air, or pop them with gleeful abandon. They can also blow them with chewing gum and bump into them in other ways. For example, they may notice them in carbonated drinks or make them in a glass of chocolate milk with a straw.
This open-ended play encourages physical activity as children run, jump, and stretch to interact with the bubbles, while also fostering social skills when they share the wand or take turns creating bubble storms with friends. The lightweight, ephemeral nature of bubbles invites experimentation—children might try blowing faster or slower, aiming high or low, or even catching bubbles on their hands to watch them shimmer before they burst.
Beyond the fun, bubbles offer rich opportunities for learning through exploration. As children observe bubbles floating, they notice patterns like how wind affects their path or how light creates iridescent rainbows on their surface, laying the groundwork for early scientific thinking.
They might wonder why bubbles pop or how they form perfect spheres, prompting questions that build problem-solving skills and curiosity about the world.
Small muscle and problem-solving skills get a workout too, as kids coordinate the delicate task of blowing a chewing gum bubble. Children engage their senses and imaginations, growing their understanding of cause and effect, and more through this simple loose part.
Bubbles At Play









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Jeff Johnson is an early learning trainer, podcaster, and author who founded Explorations Early Learning, Playvolution HQ, and Play Haven.
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