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Experiment

Bubble Mountain

A small amount of bubble bath, hard blowing through a straw, and the bubbles grow past their nose.

Ages 3–810–20 min1–2 kidsHousehold items

Fill a cup with a small amount of water and bubble bath or washing up liquid. Child blows through a straw into the cup. Bubbles pile up beyond the cup rim. Challenge: how tall can the mountain grow before it collapses?

What you need

  • plastic cup
  • straw
  • bubble bath or washing-up liquid

How to do it

  1. 1I've got a bubble magic trick. Ready?
  2. 2Child blows through the straw steadily. Bubbles pile up above the rim.
  3. 3Challenge: blow until the mountain is taller than their hand. Then taller than that.
  4. 4Let it collapse. Start again. Try to beat the previous height.

Variations

  • Korb-Tür: If they won't blow — you blow. Build a mountain for them to watch. Then they pop it. Blowing is optional.
  • Ausstieg: One final mountain. Let it grow to its peak, then watch it pop on its own. 'And boom—it's done.' Natural ending.

💡 Parent tip

Steady, slow blowing makes bigger bubbles than hard fast blowing. Most children discover this within 2 minutes. Don't tell them in advance.

What your child develops

  • Lung capacity and breath control — steady blowing requires conscious regulation
  • Surface tension — bubbles exist because of the elastic properties of soapy water
  • Persistence — the bubble collapses multiple times; the goal resets each time

Safety notes

  • Ensure they blow OUT only — do not let them suck up through the straw.

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