Magical Bubble Prints
Colour and air collide in a swirl of surprise.
The Set Up
Bubble printing is joyful, messy, and a little bit scientific. You get colour, movement, and sound all in one process, which is probably why it’s such a favourite here at Smudge.
Set up shallow bowls, trays, or paper cups with a mix of bubble solution and liquid watercolour. The balance matters: too much colour and the bubbles won’t rise, too much soap and they’ll pop too quickly. You want a mixture that makes slow, glossy bubbles that hold their shape before bursting. A bit of experimenting at the start is half the fun.
Safety is important here! Before anything starts, make sure every kid can clearly blow out through a straw. For younger kids, or mixed-age sessions, adults can do the blowing while kids direct the bubbles with fans, straws, or even their hands. Fan-style bubble blowers or small handheld fans work brilliantly and turn it into kinetic art.
Paper cups are great for small setups. Add a little mixture and invite steady blowing until bubbles overflow. Then gently lower or guide the bubbles onto the paper to make prints. Keep white paper ready (it shows the colours best).
If you want to outline cauldrons or shapes, use a permanent marker such as a Posca or Sharpie so it won’t bleed into the liquid.
The Making
Adults often underestimate how much experimentation kids can handle here. Give them space to test different colours, speeds, and tools. They’ll find their own rhythm quickly, and that’s where the learning sits… in that gorgeous place between the art and the science.
The bubbles will rise and spill, creating overlapping prints as they pop. Each circle leaves fine veined edges that look like potion clouds or soft smoke. The density of the mixture, the force of the breath, and how long the bubbles sit before popping all change the effect. We can be thinking this as we step back and watch the magic unfold! Or choose to question lightly and openly to see what discussions come up.
Variations
Add glitter or sequins for sparkle.
If the artists haven't drawn a cauldron shape beforehand, these bubble prints could be gorgeous for a mixed-media collage! Cut and paste onto other witch-y, magical drawings or painting.
Materials
• Bubble solution or dish soap and water
• Liquid watercolours or food dye
• Paper cups, bowls, or trays
• Straws, bubble blowers, or small fans
• White paper
• Permanent markers (Posca or Sharpie)
• Optional glitter, sequins, scissors, glue
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Magical Bubble Prints
Colour and air collide in a swirl of surprise.
Bookmark
Print Making
The Set Up
Bubble printing is joyful, messy, and a little bit scientific. You get colour, movement, and sound all in one process, which is probably why it’s such a favourite here at Smudge.
Set up shallow bowls, trays, or paper cups with a mix of bubble solution and liquid watercolour. The balance matters: too much colour and the bubbles won’t rise, too much soap and they’ll pop too quickly. You want a mixture that makes slow, glossy bubbles that hold their shape before bursting. A bit of experimenting at the start is half the fun.
Safety is important here! Before anything starts, make sure every kid can clearly blow out through a straw. For younger kids, or mixed-age sessions, adults can do the blowing while kids direct the bubbles with fans, straws, or even their hands. Fan-style bubble blowers or small handheld fans work brilliantly and turn it into kinetic art.
Paper cups are great for small setups. Add a little mixture and invite steady blowing until bubbles overflow. Then gently lower or guide the bubbles onto the paper to make prints. Keep white paper ready (it shows the colours best).
If you want to outline cauldrons or shapes, use a permanent marker such as a Posca or Sharpie so it won’t bleed into the liquid.
The Making
Adults often underestimate how much experimentation kids can handle here. Give them space to test different colours, speeds, and tools. They’ll find their own rhythm quickly, and that’s where the learning sits… in that gorgeous place between the art and the science.
The bubbles will rise and spill, creating overlapping prints as they pop. Each circle leaves fine veined edges that look like potion clouds or soft smoke. The density of the mixture, the force of the breath, and how long the bubbles sit before popping all change the effect. We can be thinking this as we step back and watch the magic unfold! Or choose to question lightly and openly to see what discussions come up.
Variations
Add glitter or sequins for sparkle.
If the artists haven't drawn a cauldron shape beforehand, these bubble prints could be gorgeous for a mixed-media collage! Cut and paste onto other witch-y, magical drawings or painting.
Materials
• Bubble solution or dish soap and water
• Liquid watercolours or food dye
• Paper cups, bowls, or trays
• Straws, bubble blowers, or small fans
• White paper
• Permanent markers (Posca or Sharpie)
• Optional glitter, sequins, scissors, glue
Back to Top
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Thoughts?
Would love to hear if youv'e tried this or have any ideas on how to make it even better!
