Build a Large-Scale Bubble Wand Toy - / Using Homemade Bubble Solution / 36 Foot Cotton Rope and Two 11-foot Poles

Build a Large-Scale Bubble Wand Toy

Having the ability to trap air and wind inside a glittering liquid has been a passion of mine forever. Every summer I have blown soap bubbles. I have used wands in the bubble solution jar; I have even used machines and a dish with fancy wands.

Now I have built a giant bubble wand, and I want to share it with you.

Because there is something purely magical about watching a large bubble drift in the air.

Creating a monster-sized bubble is all about the right materials, and some patience.

This Instructables is a step-by-step guide to help show you how to build a mega-scale, two-pole bubble wand, with enhanced bubble solution.

This is utilizing two 11-foot poles and a 36-foot cotton rope, paired with a highly effective homemade giant bubble solution.

Please get in the bubble of happiness.

My face hurt so much from smiling when making these bubbles.

Please remember to read all labels for handling/ use of these ingredients

use a workplace that fits this activity.

Supplies

For the Mega Wand:

Please note that I am a person that uses what I have available for supplies and tools.

1. Poles: (2) 11-foot lightweight, sturdy poles telescoping fiberglass (painters'(optional or light bamboo poles)
2. Rope: 36 feet of 3/8-inch braided cotton rope (cotton is highly absorbent and essential for holding the solution) Need to remove the plastic center core
3. Optional Weight: 1X Heavy metal washer and 2x steel nut (to weight down the loop)
4. Fasteners:
5. 3X Rubber bands
6. heavy-duty electrical tape – I used duct tape
7. 3x carbineers - 2.5 inch (2 of them had strap extenders 6 inch total)
8. Plastic tray/tub for dipping 6 inch deep by 16 inch wide by 22.5 inch long
9. Plastic shoe box with lid – for storing wet dip rope

For the Homemade Bubble Solution:

• Water: 1 gallon -- distilled water (tap water contains minerals that break down bubbles)

• Soap: 1 cup -- Blue Dawn Dish Detergent (ultra formula works best)

• Additive Agents: 1 tablespoon -- J Lube ---Ordered from Amazon

• Stabilizers: 1 tablespoon -- baking powder (NOT SODA)

Tools

1. Screen – I used 2 inch baking type – mini flower
2. Cutter – scissors or knife for cutting rope
3. Tape measures – 25 foot and a small pocket one
4. Duc tape – any water resistant , strong tape
5. Funnel – liquid Plastic – I used a 4in
6. Spoon – tablespoon size
7. Cup – plastic for measuring – I used an old ice cream container
8. Bucket – plastic with lid – I used a 5 gallon
9. Empty – 1 gallon plastic jug with cap
10. Small plastic container with lid for (gravy shake mixing)
11. Measuring tools – tape measure
12. 
    

Design

I started with what I had available and reversed engineered it.

The wand:

I had two painting extension poles which I measured to start my dimensions.

I knew I needed cotton to soak up the solution. I chose a cotton cloths line (which needed the plastic center removed)

Laid the extended poles on the ground and then I laid/ran the cotton rope

Started from the bottom of the first pole to the tip about 10 feet

then from the first pole to the tip of the second pole leaving a gap of about 10 feet

Then ran it down the second pole tip to the bottom

Then tied a loose knot of the two ends.

Held it up and adjusted the length to get maximum ground to tip of poles.

I planned on using a storage tub for dipping the rope into the solution. It ended up being 6 inches

I knew that the solution needed a continuous shape of the rope No GAPS, by using knots. but not knowing exactly where to put knots to create the form, I came up with using rubber bands, which allowed me to easily move if my design needed correction. I also did dry dips the poles and rope to simulate the process. I noticed that in order to get the rope fully submersed in the solution/liquid I would need to extend the rope at the tips of the pole.Basically, if I tied the rope to the tips I could not dip fully. So, I measured the depth of the tub/ storage container and tied my knots there.This allowed me to dip the rope easier into the tub solution. Please note having rubberbands cinching the rope was better than tying knots.

The Bubble solution: I combined the ideas of several formulas found on the line, but most of the formulas were vague on ingredients or on how much to use.

There was several examples of how to mix the bubble solution in my readings on the line and books. I came up with putting the powdered items through a screen to avoid clumping. I also used what I call the gravy trick. The trick is to put the ingredients in a small jar/container and shake them up for the best mixture. I was concerned about pressure building by shaking with these type of ingredients, but it was not an issue for me.

I also used a 1-gallon water container for the second mix of the solution. I had read that this type of solution needed to rest overnight, so I put the gallon container inside of a 5-gallon bucket with the gallon container cap off and a lid on the 5-gallon bucket. I felt that it was better to let the second mix solution let its gases out but in the containment of the bucket. This worked great for me.

More details of the ideas are as follows.

Make the Giant Bubble Solution

The solution: I combined the ideas of several formulas found on the line, but most of the formulas were vague on ingredients or on how much to use.

There was mention of mixing well a solution in my readings. I came up with putting the powdered items thru a screen to avoid clumping.I also used what I call the gravy trick. The trick is to put the gravy ingredients in a jar and shake them up for best mixture. I was concerned about pressure building by shaking with these ingredients, but it was not and issue for me.

I also used gallon water container for the second mix of the solution. I had read that this type of solution needed to rest over nigh, so I put the gallon container inside of a 5 gallon bucket with the gallon container cap off and a lid on the 5 gallon bucket. I felt that it was better to let the second mix solution let its gases out but in the containment of the bucket. This worked great for me.

What you need:

• Water: 1 gallon-- distilled water (tap water contains minerals that break down bubbles)

• Soap: 1 cup -- Blue Dawn Dish Detergent (ultra formula works best)

• Additive Agents: 1 tablespoon -- J Lube ---Ordered from Amazon

• Stabilizers: 1 tablespoon -- baking powder (NOT SODA)

·Screen sifter – I used 2 inch baking type – mini flower sifter

·Funnel – liquid Plastic – I used a 4in

·Spoon – table spoon size

·Cup – plastic for measuring – I used an old ice cream container

·Bucket – plastic with lid – I used a 5 gallon

·Empty – 1 gallon plastic jug with cap

·Small plastic container with lid (for gravy shake mixing)

Because of the scale of the bubbles with this wand, you will need a large amount of solution.

An Empty 1-gallon plastic jug with cap and a 5-gallon bucket with lid works perfectly to store mix for degassing. See photo for reference

Tip, you might want to do the mixing over the dip tray / tub to catch any mistakes

1.Pour 1 cup of the distilled water into your small empty plastic container with the lid off.

2.Slowly add 1 tablespoon of the baking powder through a sifter, I used a sifter to help dissolve with no lumps. into your empty small plastic container with a lid.

3.Add the soap I cup: Gently pour in the Blue Dawn dish soap into your not so empty small plastic container with lid.

4.Slowly add 1 tablespoon of the J Lube powder through a sifter, I used a sifter to help dissolve with no lumps. into your empty small plastic container with a lid.

5.My gravy shaking – close cap and shake to mix

6.Put empty 1 gallon jug into the 5 gallon bucket (for potential spills and degassing)

7.Pour contents (this is your concentrate solution) of small plastic container – using funnel into empty 1 gallon jug)

8.Top with distilled water: still using funnel, fill 1 gallon jug, I filled it till the foam hit the rim. (there should be plenty of distilled water for this step with some left over)

9.Degas froth or foam. Leave the cap off of 1 gallon jug but put the lid lightly on the 5 gallon bucket Foam is the enemy of giant bubbles; if you get foam on top, skim it off with a spoon.

10. Top with water: Pour in the remaining 1 gallon of distilled water.

Let it cure and degas: For the absolute best results, let the solution sit overnight or for at least 24 hours to fully activate.

1. Attach the 2x carbineers - 2.5 inch (2 of them had strap extenders 6-inch total)
2. 2x carbineers - 2.5 inch (2 of them had strap extenders 6-inch total) tightly to the very tip of each 11-foot pole with Duct Tape. (Note: If using hollow fiberglass poles, you can secure the eyelet using heavy-duty duct tape or epoxy. )
3. Secure the extended handles: Ensure the poles are rigid. If using telescoping painter's poles, twist-lock them firmly into place so they don't collapse under the weight of the wet cotton dip rope.

1. Rope: 36 feet of 3/8-inch braided cotton rope (cotton is highly absorbent and essential for holding the solution) Need to remove the plastic center core

I used cotton cloths line which has a plastic core which must be remove.

I measured out 36 feet of the rope

Ruffed the end up to expose the plastic core

I started just pulling it out.

The outer cotton part starts bunching up, which made it almost impossible to pull more plastic out. I could not just pull the plastic out in one go / pull

So, I found a piece of wood and wounded the center plastic core around the wood. This helped in pulling out 36 feet of plastic inner core. It also helped to unbunched the outer cotton. I just worked the outer cotton the entire length. Pulled more core, then worked the bunching out the balance or remaining length.

Ending up with 36 feet of outer cotton for dipping in the solution and 36 feet of plastic

To make bubbles, your rope needs to form a giant loop consisting of a straight upper line and a weighted lower loop that hangs down. C

Set up your 36-foot cotton rope into one continuous line with 3 Measurements:

1. Pole 1 Line: 11 feet long Bottom to top of first pole – aka bottom U rope
2. Loop between pole 1 and pole 2: 14 feet long - aka top U rope
3. Pole 2 line: 11 feet long top to bottom of second pole – aka bottom U rope
4. Close off the two loose ends with a loop for weight using the rubber bands.
5. connecting to Poles 1: Take one end of the 11-foot rope portion and one end of the 14-foot between rope. Form a loop approximately 1 foot long (which uses up 2 feet of rope) Repeat on the other pole. I used to rubberband instead of knots, since I wanted to experiment with different lengths of rope. Note: these loops are used to attach the rope to the carabineers, they also allow the removal of the dipping rope from the 2 poles .
6. Add the optional weight: metal nuts and washer along your carabiner onto the center of the 22-foot bottom of the two downward pole rope. This keeps the loop open when you lift the poles.
7. When you hold the poles together, the top pole to pole rope portion will hang slightly slack, and the bottom pole to pole rope will hang down significantly lower in a big double "U" shape, weighted by the washer.

Find the right conditions: Giant bubbles thrive in high humidity, low wind, and shade. Early morning or right after a rainstorm is perfect.

1. Pour the solution into the Plastic tray / tub for dipping (My tub is 6 inch deep by 16 inch wide by 22.5 inch long)
2. Place the tub with the long part running left to right, this helps when you dip the rope
3. Submerge the the entire rope both the Top U and Bottom U: To submerge bring the tips of your two poles together. Lower the entire rope Top U and Bottom U completely into your tray / tub of bubble solution. Let it soak for approximately 10 seconds - so the cotton completely absorbs the liquid. Less time after the first soak / dip
4. Lift clean: Lift the poles straight up out of the bucket with the pole tips still touching.
5. Keep the two poles slightly tipped forward (or angled) toward the sky
6. Open the wand: Slowly pull the tips of the poles apart. The wind (or your gentle steps backward) will catch the soap film stretched between the poles, inflating a massive bubble tube.
7. Close the bubble: To release the bubble into the air, simply bring the tips of your poles back together to seal the film. OR you can step forward.

Note: To make sure your bubble solution performs extremely well: Think of your bubble walls having thickness to them. The bigger the tubes, the thinner the walls, harder to close off. If the tubes start to pop on you try smaller tubes or thicker walls.

I laid down my poles on top of the tray/tub and remove the loops from the carabiners to free the double U.

I put the rope into the plastic shoe box for drying and storage

I put my empty 1 gallon jug into my 5 gallon bucket and put the funnel in the jug, I now can pour back the unused solution from the tray / tub back into the jug, I leave the cap off the 1 gallon jug and put the bucket lid back on. This is to allow for degassing again.

Collapse my two telescoping poles

I store all the items together for my next adventure.

Please double note, this solution is soapy, which means, some paper towels might be needed for your hands depending how your event went.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through my guide on building your very own

Large-Scale Bubble Wand Toy!

I hope you feel inspired to mix up a big batch of that special bubble solution, rig your poles with the perfect triangle string layout, and head outside to create some truly massive, sky-high bubbles. Crafting the perfect wand and solution is an incredibly fun project to tackle, and I cannot wait to see the amazing results you achieve out in the backyard or at the park.

Please note that the bubble solution can be used with other wands, I hope to make a zillion bubbles set up one day.

Thank you again,

Fikjast Scott