how to.. bubble station

So nice weather is here.. and cyra is all about the bubbles.. which means we really really want to hold the bottle of bubbles.. and within 3 mins tops we have spilled bubble solution all over.

And I've tried the spill-proof containers.. and find that they don't work great and if there is another toddler on the horizon we are sure to fight over it.. I'm sure you've all experienced this.

So here is my solution... the bubble station.
Attached to the fence... no holding involved..

Here's how I did it..

1) I bought a 6" flower pot holder from Home Depot, along with an azalia flower pot.. (it needs to have holes on the side.) an orchid pot would also do..
2) I spray painted the pot..
3) glued a small round disposable plastic container to the bottom.. you'll need something with a lid. I used the Ziplock brand.. I find that they are more durable than most..
4) attach pot holder to wall or fence
5) When everything has dried.. place the pot into the holder and tie into place.

I hope this works as well for everyone as it does for us.. less tears and more bubbles!! I'd love to see photos of your bubble stations if you try this!! Here are also instructions on how to make your own bubble solution..

UPDATE: JUNE 2010

many of you have commented recently on the bubble station I made for cyra last year.. we decided to repaint the pot in honor of cyra's favorite color.. so here is a more detailed tutorial with photos!

you will need..
6" flower pot holder
6" azalia pot (these have holes on the sides.. to allow you to tie the pot to the holder.. incase tiny hands want to pick it up)
glue.. (i used gorilla glue)
small round ziploc container with top
spray paint color & primer
cord


1) prime spray paint the pot.. the color of your choosing.. we used ballerina slipper pink
2) when dry, glue a small round disposable plastic container to the bottom.. you'll need something with a lid. I used the Ziplock brand.. I find that they are more durable than most..

3) attach pot holder to wall or fence
4) When everything has dried.. place the pot into the holder and tie into place using the cording.

 

I hope this works as well for everyone as it does for us.. less tears and more bubbles!! I'd love to see photos of your bubble stations if you try this!! Here are also instructions on how to make your own bubble solution..

Comments

[amy]

We made a bubble station on our back porch. Thank you so much for this blog post. http://sewamy.blogspot.com/2010/06/bubble-fun.html

[Vone]

Great idea. It's going on my list of ideas to try.

Thanks for sharing.

[JoAnn]

Great idea! Now to brainstorm how to do this with a chainlink fence.

[KJ]

I just saw this posted at the Crafty Crow. I have been trying to think about a way to eliminate spills. This is ingenious!

[Kristin]

This is genius! Thanks for sharing.

[deena neimat]

Hello Amy. I bought a pot that had holes in it.. so I could secure the pot to the pot holder with the string... just incase your little one wants to try to pick it up... hope this makes sense! good luck.. -d

[amy]

I love this idea, but am not sure what the holes in the bottom are for. Help.

[Anna]

I love this idea! I think I might add it to our children's garden!

[deena neimat]

Yes.. you are correct. place the pot holder low on your fence.. Using a plastic container that can be closed with a lid is helpful.. for when you are done playing.. and can cover the remaining bubble solution. good luck!

[Lindsey Wade]

This seems like it might be really great for my niece but I'm not quite sure how it works. Do you place the pot very low on the fence and put the bubbles in the plastic container and have the child go over to the flower pot to dip their bubble wand into the container when they want more bubbles? Or am I looking at it wrong? Thanks!