If your kids love bubbles (and what kid doesn’t?), they’ll go wild over this Bubble Snake Experiment! It’s a hands-on science activity that turns ordinary household items into a long, foamy bubble snake—perfect for backyard fun and learning.
This activity is easy to set up, mesmerizing to watch, and a great way to teach about air pressure, surface tension, and soap science. Let’s dive into the bubbly fun!
What You’ll Need:
- A plastic water bottle
- An old sock or washcloth
- Rubber band or tape
- Dish soap
- Water
- A small bowl or dish
- Food coloring (optional, for rainbow bubbles)
- Scissors
How to Make a Bubble Snake:
Step 1: Cut the Bottle
Use scissors to carefully cut the bottom off the water bottle (adults should do this part).
Step 2: Attach the Sock
Stretch a sock over the cut end of the bottle. Secure it tightly with a rubber band or tape. This will be your “bubble blower.”
Step 3: Mix the Bubble Solution
In a bowl, mix about 1/4 cup of dish soap with 1/2 cup of water. Stir gently to avoid creating foam.
Optional: Add a few drops of food coloring to the sock for colorful bubble snakes!
Step 4: Time to Blow Bubbles!
Dip the sock-covered end of the bottle into the soap solution. Then blow through the mouth of the bottle—and watch a long, foamy bubble snake form!
Safety Note:
Remind kids to blow out, not suck in! It’s important they don’t inhale through the bottle.
What’s Happening? The Science Behind It:
- The sock acts like a filter, turning the bubble solution into many tiny bubbles at once.
- Blowing air through the bottle creates air pressure, pushing the bubbles out.
- The surface tension of the soap holds the bubbles together in a foamy chain.
It’s a great chance to talk about gases, pressure, and bubble structure in a fun and simple way.
Creative Twist: Make Rainbow Bubble Snakes!
Add food coloring directly onto the sock before blowing to create striped, rainbow-colored foam. It looks magical and adds an extra wow factor!
Clean-Up is a Breeze:
Just rinse the bottle and sock with water, and toss the leftover soap solution. It’s low-mess and easy to clean!
Perfect For:
- Outdoor summer fun
- Science experiments at home or in class
- Birthday party activities
- STEAM learning
- Rainy day boredom busters (just head to the bathtub!)
So grab some soap, snip a bottle, and get ready to blow your kids away with a bubbly blast of science fun! The Bubble Snake Experiment is sure to become a go-to favorite.