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Enjoy your stay Thanx for visiting |
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~ Blowing Bubbles ~
I am very fortunate to have a few very close friends, who happen to have some very adorable, normal children attached to them at the hip. One of the everyday dilemmas for these parents is finding things for their kids to do. It is a parent's worst nightmare. One of the things I have found, is that sometimes the simplest of activities brings out the greatest joy in children. They really don't need to be impressed with technology or special effects. One of these simple pleasures that I get coerced into periodically, is blowing bubbles in someone's back yard (usually after a barbecue dinner).
It all starts so innocently too. The children are bored. Someone just happens to be doing the dishes or decides it's time to wash the car in the driveway and bubbles just start to float around the air outside, quite by accident. The children get all excited as they chase them around the yard, trying to catch and burst the bubbles before they get away. This simple "accident" has now turned into play time and they have found something to keep them occupied. So out comes the pail of water, the dish soap and some circular and odd-shaped see-through contraptions for blowing bubbles.
You would not believe the gadgets and hoops and wands you can now buy at the local variety or hobby stores for blowing bubbles. I was amazed to find that bubble-making is a full-blown (no pun intended) recognized sport in some parts of the world. There are actually sanctioned competitions for this. Can you believe it? You can buy numerous books on the art and gadgetry of making bubbles. I had no idea that something so simple, had such a loyal following.
So here I am with these children blowing bubbles. I am actually quite enthusiastic about it myself because I am trying to blow the biggest, most-perfect bubble I can, to try and impress these kids with my "new-found expertise". They have all been hopelessly trying to make some big bubbles but they are too impatient with the process and have asked for my guidance. They all look at me (almost pouting) and ask if I can help them. You are absolutely powerless to turn away from a child who has actually asked you sincerely for help. They see the big bubbles start to come out, one by one, and they stand there in sheer delight and amazement. How come I can't do that? Can I try now? The bubble training has begun.
After about an hour of this, the kids are getting soapy and wet from chasing every last bubble that has come out of these gadgets but they seem to be getting just a little bored again. They are still excited but they want some new action. So, out come the water guns. Some of these high-powered water guns you see now are really impressive and make for great target practice. I think the little $3 water trigger pistols are the best. They are simple to use (even for kids) and all you have to do is point and shoot. Some of the children are still quite content to continue blowing bubbles and now some of the children are trying to shoot bubbles out of the sky with every available water gun they can get their little hands on. Believe it or not, it is not easy. First of all, bubbles are a moving target and they dodge around when they get swept away in air drafts. They are quite difficult to pin-down to get a good shot. Second, when you shoot them, even from point-blank range, sometimes they don't burst!!! You can actually shoot a stream of water right through the centre of most bigger bubbles, and half the time, the bubble stays intact. I was shocked. How can that be? It defies every sense of logic, I know, but it makes for more of a peculiar interesting challenge. I remember seeing a little four-year old girl shoot a one-foot diameter bubble at least five times right through the middle, before she finally burst it. She was so pleased that she finally popped it after all that work; high-fives all around.
Be prepared. This could go on for hours. It could actually be dark before you get them to stop. I know this first-hand from my experiences. I have found that the best time to do this is late in the afternoon, or early evening, because the winds are usually calmer and the temperature outside is usually quite comfortable. You need to have a cloudy or overcast day because direct sunlight seems to burst bubbles a lot faster. You need a little humidity in the air as well. Humidity seems to give the bubbles more longevity and resiliency. The colours are usually much prettier too when it is overcast. You can see them much better. Oh yeah, I did mention colour! If you look very closely at any bubble, you will see they are rainbow-coloured. Every single bubble has a different colour mosaic, depending on which direction and how close you are looking at them. It is truly magical and quite beautiful.
According to most experts good old-fashioned dish soap is the best ingredient. You have to find one that is rich in texture and has plenty of glycerine. They all suggest one brand in particular but being that I am impartial, I will only give you a very strong hint. Look for some joy on the shelf at your local store. Do not settle for cheap imitations or the generic "no-name" brand. They don't work as well, trust me. The trade secret is half water, half soap. Believe it or not, you should actually use a measuring cup. This isn't rocket science but it does work and the bubbles are amazingly strong and pliable, The pre-mixed bubble soap you find in the hobby stores is way too expensive for the performance that the labels promise and deliver. Proof is experience.
Unfortunately, bubble-making only seems to work well during the hot hazy days of summer. I don't know why, but it must have something to do with air temperature and humidity. Again, it is important to have almost perfect conditions for bubble-making to work well. The air has to be still with as little wind as possible. There has to be a sticky humidity in the air, and the skies have to be at least slightly overcast or cloudy. If all the conditions are there and boredom is in the air with your children, or your neighbour's children, you have to try this. It is really a wonderful experience and it is so easy. The raw laughter and sheer amazement from the children will inspire you. They truly love this kind of stuff. It is good, clean fun. It is an inexpensive source of entertainment that your children (and you) will enjoy, time and time again.
Look at it this way. After this is all over, all you have to do is give the kids a warm bath (they are already soapy) and put them directly to bed. They will already be exhausted from all the excitement, the laughter and the running around they have done for the last few hours. Be careful! They may actually fall asleep in the bathtub. You will see the "joy" in their eyes. They have had a good day.
Pure and simple...
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- This Storyworx page updated October 16th, 1998 -