HOW TO MAKE HUGE, LONG-LASTING THAT YOU CAN WALK AROUND WITH?
Have you ever watched a giant bubble performer create one of those enormous, long bubbles that seem to float along as they walk with them and wondered:
“How do they make that bubble last so long?”
It’s a question I get asked quite often, particularly after people see videos of my bubble performances.
Recently, someone got in touch after seeing one of my videos and asked:
“What bubble solution do you use to make that big long bubble last while walking with it? I tried making a solution this weekend but my bubbles weren’t holding.”
It’s a great question — because there’s actually much more to creating these huge walking bubbles than simply finding the right recipe.
This is the video people ask me about!
THE SECRET TO A HUGE WALKING BUBBLE
For this particular routine, there are several things working together:
GOOD BUBBLE SOLUTION + FABRIC WAND + THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT + TECHNIQUE + PRACTICE
And sometimes…
a few attempts!
A common misconception is that if you have the right bubble recipe, you’ll automatically be able to create the same huge bubble you have seen in a professional performance.
Unfortunately, it isn’t quite that simple.
The bubble solution is important, but the equipment and technique are just as important.
WHAT BUBBLE SOLUTION DO I USE?
For my indoor bubble shows, I generally use Uncle Bubble or Bubbly Heaven Bubble Powder Pro.
A good-quality bubble solution makes a significant difference when you’re trying to create large, strong and long-lasting bubbles.
However, even the best bubble solution can’t compensate for unsuitable equipment or technique.
If you’re trying to make very large bubbles, you need to think about the whole system rather than just the liquid.
WHY THE WAND MATTERS
One of the biggest differences with this particular routine is the type of wand I use.
I use a fabric bubble wand.
For very large bubbles, the wand needs to be capable of carrying and retaining a good amount of bubble solution.
A plastic wand of a similar size doesn’t retain enough liquid for the type of bubble I’m trying to create. When I used the original plastic wand for this routine, I found that the bubbles would pop very quickly.
The fabric wand holds much more bubble solution.
That gives me a much better liquid film to work with when creating the huge bubble.
So if you’re struggling to recreate a giant bubble you’ve seen online, don’t automatically assume that your recipe is the problem.
Your wand could be just as important.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I USE?
The setup I use for this particular routine is quite specific.
The tray and the original plastic wand came from Bubble Lab in Russia.
I subsequently ordered a custom-sized fabric wand from Mondo Troll, made to fit the tray.
The custom fit is important because the wand and tray need to work together properly.
This isn’t simply a case of putting bubble solution into any large tray and using any large wand.
The size, shape and construction of the equipment can all affect how the bubble forms.
WHY DOES A FABRIC WAND WORK SO WELL?
The fabric provides a surface that can hold a significant amount of bubble solution.
When you lift the wand from the solution, you’re creating a large film of bubble mixture.
That film is what becomes the bubble.
For a very large bubble, you need a large, stable film that can remain intact while you move it through the air.
If your wand isn’t holding enough solution, the film can become too thin or break too quickly.
This is one reason why simply making a stronger bubble mixture doesn’t necessarily solve the problem.
Sometimes you need to change the equipment rather than the recipe.
DO I GET THE BIG BUBBLE EVERY TIME?
Here’s something you don’t necessarily see when watching a finished performance video.
No — I don’t get the huge walking bubble every single time.
During this particular routine, I will usually make around two or three attempts at getting that really big bubble that I can walk around with.
But I don’t make all of those attempts one after another.
Instead, I spread them throughout the routine.
If one attempt doesn’t give me the huge bubble I’m looking for, I continue with the show and come back to it later.
The audience isn’t sitting there watching me repeatedly try to make the same bubble.
And although I may need two or three attempts during the routine, I do get that big bubble during the show.
That’s part of professional bubble performance.
BUBBLE PERFORMANCE ISN’T ALWAYS PERFECT
One of the things I love about bubbles is that they aren’t completely predictable.
You can have the same equipment, the same mixture and the same performer — and still get slightly different results.
Environmental conditions can change.
The humidity can change.
The temperature can change.
Air movement can change.
Even the way the bubble film forms can vary from one attempt to the next.
That’s why professional bubble performers learn to work with the bubbles rather than expecting to control every single one.
Sometimes the bubble doesn’t cooperate.
You simply try again.
WHY ARE MY BUBBLES NOT HOLDING?
If you’re trying to make large bubbles and they’re popping quickly, there are several things to consider.
1. YOUR BUBBLE SOLUTION
Troubleshoot why your bubble mixture isn’t working or working well here.
2. YOUR WAND
Is your wand actually holding enough bubble solution?
If the film is too small or the wand isn’t retaining enough liquid, you may struggle to create large, stable bubbles.
3. YOUR TECHNIQUE
Creating giant bubbles takes practice.
How you lift the wand, how quickly you move, how you introduce air into the bubble and how you handle the film can all affect the result.
4. TEMPERATURE
Temperature can affect how your bubble mixture behaves.
Very hot conditions can be challenging and also very cold.
5. HUMIDITY
Humidity is particularly important when working with bubbles.
The moisture in the air can affect how quickly the bubble film loses water and how long the bubble survives.
6. WIND AND AIR MOVEMENT
Large bubbles are extremely sensitive to air movement.
Even indoors, air conditioning, fans, open doors or people moving around can create enough air movement to affect a large bubble.
7. YOUR SURROUNDINGS
The surface you’re working over and the environment around you can also make a difference.
For professional performances, you need to consider the entire performance area rather than just the bubble mixture.
DON’T JUST CHANGE THE RECIPE
If your bubbles aren’t holding, it’s tempting to immediately start changing your recipe.
But before you do that, look at the entire setup.
Ask yourself:
- Is my bubble solution suitable?
- Is my wand holding enough solution?
- Am I using the right type of wand?
- Is my technique consistent?
- What’s the temperature?
- What’s the humidity?
- Is there any wind or air movement?
Sometimes the solution isn’t actually the problem.
PRACTICE REALLY DOES MATTER
There’s another ingredient that isn’t available in a bottle:
practice.
Large bubbles are a skill.
Even with excellent equipment and a good bubble solution, you may not immediately be able to reproduce what you’ve seen a professional performer do.
You need to learn how your particular equipment behaves.
You need to learn how much solution your wand carries.
You need to learn how quickly to move.
And you need to learn how to recognise when the conditions are right for that huge bubble.
The more you practise, the more consistent you become.
SO, WHAT’S THE SECRET?
If you’ve seen my walking bubble and wondered whether there’s one special recipe that makes it possible, I’m afraid there’s no single magic ingredient.
For this particular routine, it’s the combination of:
GOOD BUBBLE SOLUTION
+ FABRIC WAND
+ THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
+ TECHNIQUE
+ PRACTICE
And sometimes…
A FEW ATTEMPTS! 😂
That’s the reality of professional bubble performance.
You can prepare everything perfectly and still need to try again.
But when that huge bubble finally forms, holds together and you can walk around with it…
it’s worth it.
WANT TO EXPERIMENT WITH GIANT BUBBLES?
If you’d like to experiment with creating giant bubbles yourself, Bubbly Heaven has a range of professional bubble solutions, giant bubble equipment and bubble-making resources to help you get started.
Remember, though, that buying a particular bubble solution won’t automatically reproduce a professional performance.
Think about the solution, wand, equipment, environment and technique as a complete setup.
💬 HAVE A BUBBLE QUESTION?
This article was inspired by a real question from a Bubbly Heaven follower.
If you’ve ever wondered something about bubble mix, giant bubbles, bubble equipment, performing bubbles or making your own bubble solutions, you’re probably not the only person asking.
That’s why I’ve started You Asked Bubbly Heaven — a series where I answer real questions sent in by customers, performers, parents, teachers and bubble enthusiasts.
Have a question? Get in touch with Bubbly Heaven.
Your question could become the next episode!
cheryl@bubblyheaven.co.uk
🫧 Bubbly wishes,
Cheryl
Bubbly Heaven