Bubble Art

What you need: 

• 1–2 tablespoons tempera paint 
• 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid 
• light-colored construction paper 
• drinking straws 
• metal pie tin or roasting pan 
• 1/2 cup water

What to do: 

1. Mix together water, dishwashing liquid, and paint. Pour the mixture into the metal pan. 
2. Invite your child to dip one end of the straw into the mixture and blow gently to make bubbles. She should stop blowing once the bubbles reach almost to the edge of the pan.
3. Gently place a piece of construction paper on top of the bubbles and hold it in place for a few seconds. As the bubbles pop, they will leave marks on the paper.
4. Remove the paper and set it aside to dry.
5. Encourage your child to experiment with different variations on this project. He could try mixing different colors of paint together or holding the paper on top of the bubbles for varying lengths of time. He can also try making different colors in different pans and placing the paper on the bubbles in one pan first and then on the other. What other effects can he create?

Learning benefits: 

• encourages experimentation 
• develops creativity