Outdoor Fun with Bubbles

For many kids, summer fun just wouldn't be fun without a big outdoor bubble party! But before you go out and buy a pricey bubble-blowing machine, why not give making your own bubble formula a try? It's cheap, easy and may even make bigger bubbles than the storebought kind. You just need three ingredients: water, dish soap, and glycerin or corn syrup. You may have to do a little experimenting based on your water type, climate and how long you want it to last. For example, soft or distilled water makes the best bubbles - a high concentration of iron makes for short-lived orbs. The best brand of dish soap may take a little experimenting, but most "bubble-ologists" swear by Joy or Dawn. And while corn syrup is cheaper, glycerin makes stronger bubbles and doesn't attract bugs like sweet syrup will. Glycerin can be found at the pharmacy. Most recipes call for one part soap, 10-15 parts water and up to 1/2 part glycerin or corn syrup. It depends on how much you want to make as to how much you use, and the best bubbles may take some trial and error. It helps to let the mixture sit in the fridge or the garage overnight until you're ready to use it, and the mixture is better stirred, not shaken - you don't want foamy bubbles.