DIY: Smoke Bubbles | Tinkerer Box Blog

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Smoke Bubbles

Stem Activities

Ages: 9-12

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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You're surely familiar with blowing bubbles, but do you know how to make super cool smoke-filled bubbles? With just simple recyclable materials and a few kitchen items, you can create magical bubbles filled with smoke.

Materials Needed

White sugar
Bowl
Water
Lighter (or matches)
Washing-up liquid
Paper towel
Scissors
Spoon
Plastic bottle

An assortment of materials arranged on a light wooden table suggests preparation for a science experiment or craft project. A clear rectangular tray holds two small clear glass bowls, one containing a white powder and the other empty. A small glass of water, a red lighter, a small beige tube, and a pair of black scissors are also on the tray. Outside the tray, a clear plastic bottle with a red cap and a cream-colored plastic spoon lie on the table. A folded piece of white tissue paper rests inside the tray.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Use scissors or a pencil to make a small hole in the centre of the bottle cap.

A hand holds a red plastic bottle cap on a light wooden surface while a pair of scissors pierces the center of the cap. The hand's fingers gently secure the cap, indicating a careful cutting process.

Step 2

Make a small hole in the side of the plastic bottle. If you find this step difficult, ask an adult for help.

Two hands are shown in the process of cutting a clear plastic bottle with a pair of black scissors. One hand holds the bottle against a light wood background, while the other hand operates the scissors, making a small initial cut in the side of the bottle. The bottle has a red cap and slight textured ridges.

Step 3

Pour water into the bowl.

A hand pours water from a clear glass measuring cup into a clear glass bowl. The bowl sits on a dark gray surface. The water flows smoothly from the cup into the bowl. A small section of colorful tape is visible on the measuring cup.

Step 4

Add 1 tablespoon of white sugar to the water.

A hand holds a cream-colored plastic spoon filled with white granules, likely salt or sugar, over a clear glass bowl containing water. The spoon is tilted, and some of the granules are falling into the water. The bowl rests on a dark gray surface. The hand has light pink nail polish.

Step 5

Add 6-9 drops of washing-up liquid and mix well.

A hand squeezes a small, beige, plastic bottle with a flip-top cap over a clear glass bowl containing water and a dissolved white substance. A thin stream of the bottle's contents is being dispensed into the bowl, adding to the dissolved substance at the bottom. The bowl sits on a dark gray surface.

Step 6

Cover the hole in the bottle with your thumb and dip the bottle cap in the soapy water. Then, as shown in the picture, try to blow a bubble.

Two hands manipulate items over a gray surface. One hand holds a clear plastic bottle with a red cap. The other hand uses a red and yellow stapler to secure a piece of white material, possibly cloth or paper, around the bottle's opening. The video appears to demonstrate the setup for a science experiment or DIY project, likely involving the creation of bubbles or a chemical reaction within the bottle.

Step 7

Light a corner of the paper towel with the lighter and quickly extinguish it. Then place the paper towel in the water bottle. Ask an adult for help with this step and be careful with fire safety.

A hand holds a clear plastic bottle with a red cap over a clear bowl filled with water. The hand covers a small hole in the side of the bottle with a finger. The bottle is then lowered, submerging the cap and part of the bottle into the water. The video seems to demonstrate a science experiment or demonstration related to air pressure, water displacement, or a similar scientific principle.

Step 8

Following step 6, dip the bottle containing the smoky paper towel in the soapy water. Now try to squeeze out your first smoke bubble!

A hand holds a clear plastic bottle with a red cap over a gray surface. The bottle contains a white material, possibly a cloth or paper. A large, clear bubble slowly inflates from the bottle's opening, expanding to nearly the size of the bottle itself. The background is a plain, gray surface, likely a tray or table. This video appears to showcase a science experiment or DIY project involving creating bubbles, possibly using dry ice or a chemical reaction.

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