Bubble Machines – A Lesson Your Students Will Never Forget

Posted on Aug 10, 2025

If you're looking for a project that grabs attention, keeps kids engaged, and ends with a big “wow” moment. Bubble Machines do exactly that.

As soon as the session begins, the kids are busy. They’re threading beads, adding splashes of color, and turning plain bottles into bright, funny sea creatures. The room is filled with focused activity as each child adds their own twist.

Then comes the big moment. You head outside, the bubble mix is ready, and the first child takes a deep breath and blows. A long, shimmering trail of bubbles streams out, and smiles spread across the group.

There’s a buzz of excitement as kids admire each other’s creations, compare the streams of bubbles, and take pride in seeing their designs come to life.

Click here or on the image below to download your free Bubble Machines lesson plan. ⤵

Inside You'll Find:

Age recommendation
A supply list (what you'll need)
Step-by-step craft instructions with pictures
Homemade bubble soap recipe
Explanations of the STEAM super skills that will be developed
BONUS: parent handout to send home after class

Why This Works So Well as a First Lesson:

It’s active. Kids move between threading, decorating, and outdoor bubble play
It’s creative. No two bubble machines look alike
It’s sneaky learning. Fine motor skills, problem-solving, and a touch of science are built in without feeling like school
It’s memorable. Kids leave telling everyone about the bubble machines they made themselves
It keeps the fun going. This craft results in hours of after-class bubble-blowing play

How It Brings STEAM Learning to Life:

This lesson has everything:

A mix of fine motor skill practice like threading, tying, and painting
Creative expression through decoration
A bit of science hidden in the bubble magic
An exciting session of hands-on play, where every child gets to see their creation in action

By the end of the 45-minute class, they’re proud of what they’ve made, buzzing from the fun, and already excited to come back for more.

What Super Skills Will Your Students Learn?

⭐️ Fine-Motor Coordination – Using smaller muscle groups for object manipulation and hand grasps, practiced when children thread straws or beads using a pincer grip.

⭐️ Free Play – Unstructured play that builds imagination and exploration. In this craft, children have the opportunity to play freely while blowing bubbles at the end of the class.

What You’ll Need:

We’ve listed lots of supply options below — be creative and use what you have.

Craft Supplies:

Sock (light color works best for painting)
Small recycled plastic bottle (around 250 ml / 8.5 fl oz)
Elastic band or string
Beads, paper straws, or noodles for threading
Scissors or utility knife
Embroidery needle
Waterproof marker
Paint (tempera watercolor cakes), brush, water

Bubble Mixture:

1 cup (240 ml) lukewarm water
4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Shallow container for mixing

Teaching Tips:

💡 Control the pace of this lesson by handing out materials step-by-step instead of all at once (to keep curiosity high and prevent distractions).

💡 Practice blowing before adding soap so kids get in the habit of exhaling out and not inhaling through the bottle.

💡 Take the bubble play outdoors to avoid slippery floors and make cleanup easy.

💡 Join in the fun. Grab a bubble machine and blow alongside the kids. When they see you having fun too, it creates a contagious energy that keeps everyone excited and engaged until the very end.

If you want a lesson that’s easy to prepare, runs smoothly from start to finish, and leaves kids eager to sign up for more, this Bubble Machine craft ticks every box.

Click the button below to DOWNLOAD the full lesson plan for free. Simply add your name and email and a copy will instantly be sent right to your inbox. ⤵

Want More Lesson Plans?

We have loads of step-by-step lesson plans just like this one inside our CCC curriculum.

When you become a CCC Academy member you get 50% off our curriculum!

Click the image below to receive a free info pack and learn more about becoming a member. ⤵