Colorful Bubble Art Project Ideas for Kids

Kids love blowing bubbles while creating art. This project allows kids to have fun, explore new painting methods, and express their creativity. Kids Activities Blog has featured some other bubble art projects, but this one takes bubble art to the next level with using the bubble painting technique to emphasize art elements whether created by the child or downloaded with one of our free printable bubble art templates below making this an excellent art project for kids of any age.

Creating Bubble Art

This quick and easy bubble art project will keep kids of all ages and skill levels engaged. Kids will have fun expressing their creativity and exploring new art techniques. These bubble art project ideas are easy to create at home (inside or outside) and within the classroom.

Why Make Bubble Art?

Kids of all ages enjoy bubble art because it gives them a chance to play and explore. In this project, kids will use a bubble paint mixture and their own creativity to create a work of art. Bubble art allows the child to explore mixing colors and techniques. Also, the child can experience how everyday supplies can be used in unique ways.

Related: Homemade Bubble Solution

Bubble art projects are for both at home or in the classroom. While the kids will stay busy because they’re having fun, they will also be learning. Kids learn how household supplies can be repurposed for art, exploring color theory as they mix colors, and expanding their creativity by thinking outside the box.

Supplies Needed to Make Bubble Art

• White Paper – a heavier paper like cardstock works better for this project
• Liquid Dish Soap – part of the bubble art solution
• Craft Acrylic Paint – in any color the child chooses, though darker colors tend to work better for this activity. Heavier body acrylic paint will work for this project, but I find the craft brands easier to mix.
• Water – part of the bubble art solution
• Drinking Straws – one for each child in order to create bubbles
• Spoons – for mixing solution
• Bowls – to hold the bubble solution. I use disposable bowls in the classroom setting, but these may easily be tipped over due to how light they are. You may want to consider a heavier and more sturdy bowl if you have younger children.
• Newspapers or drop cloth – to cover the surface area
• Paper Towels – for easy clean-up

Optional Supplies if making this a 2-session project

• Markers, Colored Pencils, or crayons – to add extra design elements to the bubble art
• Scissors, Glue, Extra Paper – if the artist wishes to cut and paste his or her bubble art in a creative way (collage, card making, etc).

Bubble Paint Recipe

• 1 Tbsp. Dish Soap
• 2 Tbsp. Acrylic Craft Paint – amount will vary based on desired color intensity
• 1 c. Water

This bubble paint recipe is approximate and will vary based on your supplies. Don’t be afraid to try different amounts.

Directions to Make a Bubble Art Project

Step 1

On a protected surface, begin by mixing the bubble solution. Place a small amount of dish soap and acrylic paint into the bottom of the bowl. Stir to evenly mix the paint and soap. Continue stirring while adding water to your solution until it creates mounding bubbles when blown with the straw. This step may require a few adjustments for the bubble solution to produce usable bubbles in the desired colored.

Depending on the age of the child, assistance may be beneficial for this step. When I teach this lesson in a classroom setting, I mix various color solutions ahead of time for the students.

Step 2

Once the bubble solution is ready, it is time to create art! Have children put one end of the straw into the bubble solution and blow. Bubbles should begin to mound on top of the bowled solution. Have kids stop blowing into the straw before the bubbles overflow the bowl. Once a mound of bubbles forms, take a piece of white paper and lay on top of the bubbles. Important – do not press the paper down into the bowled bubble solution.

Step 3

Pick paper up straight off of the bowl to expose bubble art print. At this time, kids can decide whether or not the artwork needs more bubbles, different colored bubbles, etc.

Kids can continue this same process on multiple pages to create various works of art.

STEP 4

Try to resist the temptation to pop any remaining bubbles. Leaving the bubbles on the paper can result in a darker finished print.

Without overlapping, allow bubble art pages to dry. Dry time will vary based on how saturated the paper is with the solution.

Step 5 (optional)

Though bubble art is considered complete when dry, I encourage students to take their artwork a bit further. At this time, each child is encouraged to look at his or her bubble art and adapt it into something else. Kids are given drawing supplies such as markers, colored pencils, and crayons to add more elements to the artwork. Whether it be a rubber duck sitting in a bubble bath, smoke clouds from a rocket blasting off, or an imaginary land. The possibilities are endless.

Free Printables to Use with Your Bubble ARt

Rocket Taking Off Printable

With our rocket launching printable, kids can fill in the rocket launch steam with their own selection of bubble art color. Your rocket can be just starting to launch or in full take-off!

Download the Rocket Printable Here

Rubber Duck Printable for Bubble Art

Kids can add bubbles to this fun rubber duck printable. Your kids decide the color and amount of bubbles the rubber duck is floating on.

Download the Duck Printable Here

Finished Bubble Art

Once bubble art is complete, it can be used and displayed in various ways. Since bubble art is created on cardstock, it can easily be mounted in a frame or displayed using magnets, clips, or any method you prefer.

Our Experience Making this Bubble Art Project

Creating Bubble Art is an activity that my students always enjoy. It is simply satisfying to see bubbles mound up on top of the bowl and then transfer that delicate design onto paper. Having taught this lesson a few times, here are a few things I have learned:

• Remind kids to only BLOW in the straw. Drinking bubbles is not something they want to taste. For the same reason, they want to remember which end of the straw belongs in the paint.
• Encourage kids to wipe any remaining solution off their straw before placing it into a different colored solution. This will help prevent cross-contamination and keep colors pure.
• Be prepared for spills. Keep the area well covered and paper towels on hand. You may even consider doing this project outdoors.
• Using acrylic paint means bubble art is permanent when dry. This allows kids to further work the project without the bubble art smearing. This also means that it can stain and ruin surfaces. Ensure kids and surfaces are well covered.
• Encourage children to leave any bubbles in tact on the paper while it dries. This will likely achieve a bolder print.

Bubble Art Variations

• Step 2: Kids may also choose to “scoop” the bubbles off of the bowl and place them onto the paper. When doing so, make sure the child uses a gentle, straight hand to swipe along the bottom of the bubbles. This will help reduce popping when scooping the bubbles up. The child can then gently place bubbles onto the paper.
• Step 2: Kids may choose to blow bubbles onto the paper using a bubble wand.
• Step 5: If the child doesn’t wish to draw on the bubble art, he or she may want to cut the art into shapes, build a collage, or make a card.

More Bubble Activities from Kids Activities Blog

What did your kids love most about making this bubble art project? How did your kids adapt their bubble prints to make unique masterpieces?