ARE BUBBLES SAFE FOR BABIES?
If you have a baby or young toddler, you may have wondered:
Can babies play with bubbles?
It’s a really good question.
There is an important difference between an adult blowing bubbles for a baby to watch and allowing a baby to handle or play directly with bubble solution.
CAN BABIES WATCH BUBBLES?
If an adult is blowing bubbles for a baby to watch, the baby isn’t actually handling the bubble solution.
Bubbles can be a lovely visual activity for babies. They can watch them float, move, pop and change direction, making them an interesting activity for early sensory exploration.
However, the bubble solution itself should remain under adult control.
IMPORTANT: NEVER LEAVE A BABY UNATTENDED AROUND BUBBLE LIQUID
When using bubble solution around babies and very young children, close supervision is essential.
- Keep the bottle or container out of reach.
- Don’t allow the baby to drink or swallow the solution.
- Keep bubble wands and equipment under adult supervision.
- Avoid getting bubble solution into the baby’s eyes.
- If solution gets onto the skin, wash the area afterwards.
- Never leave a baby unattended around a container or tray of bubble solution, even if there is only a small amount of liquid in it.
Young children can drown in surprisingly small amounts of liquid, particularly babies who are only just learning to sit unaided.
I remember an occasion at one of my events when a mother briefly took her eyes off her baby, who could only just sit up independently. The baby fell forwards into a shallow tray containing bubble liquid.
I noticed what was happening and quickly alerted the mother, who was able to respond immediately. Thankfully, the situation ended safely, but it was a real reminder of just how quickly something can happen when you’re working with babies and young children.
A shallow tray of bubble liquid may not look dangerous, but it should never be treated as something a baby can safely be left beside or allowed to explore without an adult right there.
When running bubble or sensory activities with babies and toddlers, keep the liquid physically out of their reach wherever possible and maintain active, close supervision throughout.
WHAT ABOUT BUBBLE PRODUCTS WITH AGE WARNINGS?
Some professional and children’s bubble products carry age recommendations or warnings.
These should always be followed.
For example, our bubble powders and concentrates have specific product information and warnings, so please check the individual product before using it around young children.
An important point is that “bubbles are fun for babies” doesn’t mean that the bubble liquid itself is a baby product.
The bubbles and the liquid used to make them are two different things.
WHAT IF YOU WANT FOAM PLAY FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS?
If you’re looking for something for sensory or messy foam play, rather than simply blowing bubbles for a baby to watch, you may want to explore a different approach.
One option you could investigate is using a mild baby bath product to create foam rather than using a professional bubble solution.
For example, some parents and early-years practitioners explore baby bath products such as Johnson’s baby bath for this type of activity.
However, it’s important not to assume that every baby bath product is automatically suitable for every type of sensory play.
Always check the specific product’s ingredients, age guidance and instructions before using it with a baby or toddler.
You should also consider how the foam will be used and make sure that children are closely supervised.
WHY MIGHT FOAM PLAY BE DIFFERENT FROM BUBBLE PLAY?
Traditional bubble solution is designed to create bubbles.
Foam play is a different type of sensory activity, where the aim is often to create a larger quantity of soft foam for children to touch and explore.
If you’re planning an activity for babies or very young toddlers, think about the child’s age and developmental stage and choose products and activities accordingly.
Babies naturally explore the world with their hands and mouths, so anything involving soap, bath products or bubble mixtures requires particularly close supervision.
WHAT IF BUBBLE SOLUTION GETS ON A BABY’S SKIN?
If bubble solution comes into contact with a baby’s skin, wash the affected area.
Take particular care to avoid contact with the eyes and mouth.
If a child accidentally swallows a product, follow the instructions and safety information provided with that particular product and seek appropriate medical advice if necessary.
OUR ADVICE
If you’re entertaining a baby with bubbles, our preferred approach would be:
Let an adult control the bubble solution and blow the bubbles for the baby to watch.
If you’re specifically looking for a messy or sensory foam activity for babies and toddlers, you could explore products intended for babies, such as a suitable baby bath product, rather than allowing a baby to play directly with professional bubble solution.
Always check the product information first and supervise the child throughout the activity.
BUBBLES FOR BABIES: THE SIMPLE ANSWER
Can a baby watch bubbles?
Yes — an adult can blow bubbles for a baby to watch, while keeping control of the bubble solution and equipment.
Should a baby drink or freely play with bubble solution?
No. Bubble solution is not intended to be swallowed, and the specific product’s age guidance and warnings should always be followed.
Could baby bath products be an option for foam play?
They may be something to explore for sensory play, but always check the specific product’s ingredients, age guidance and instructions before using it with a baby or toddler.
Should babies be supervised?
Absolutely. Any activity involving soap, bubble solution or bath products should be closely supervised.
The key is to remember that watching bubbles and playing with bubble solution are two different things.
If you have a question about bubbles, bubble mix or running bubble activities with children, feel free to get in touch.
You may even see your question answered in a future episode of You Asked Bubbly Heaven!
Bubbly wishes,
Cheryl
Bubbly Heaven
cheryl@bubblyheaven.co.uk