Omaha Children's Museum :: Try It At Home

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Do you like the Amazing Bubble Show? Would you like to make bubbles just like the ones at Omaha Children's Museum? Here's our recipe. Have fun making your own amazing bubbles!

5 cups (40 ounces) water
½ cup (4 ounces) corn syrup
3 cups (24 ounces) dish soap

Mix and let sit overnight. Add more dish soap if bubbles seem to pop too easily. Solution will last about one week.

Why corn syrup? Corn syrup works to help thicken the bubble juice and keep the water from evaporating as quickly.Evaporation is what causes most bubbles to pop in mid air. If you want an even better “professional” strength bubble juice, replace the corn syrup with Kosher grade vegetable glycerin. Results will vary based on brand of soap (we recommend Ultra Dawn or Ultra Joy), water quality, and the humidity.

Have fun bubbling!

For more fun, try making this super-squishy slime!

Slime Recipe

Elmer’s School Glue
Borax (or Tide powder detergent)
Water

Food coloring (careful – it can stain!)

Mix one cup of water with one cup of glue.
2. Add food coloring to glue and water mixture
In a separate container, mix ½ cup wat3er and ½ tsp. of Borax or Tide
Add detergent solution to glue mixture

Congratulations! You’ve created a non-Newtonian solution AND a polymer!

What Is A Hovercraft?
A hovercraft is a vehicle that rides on a cushion of air produced by downwardly directed fans, causing it to glide over surfaces.

How It Works
Air produced by a small blower inflates a plastic sheet. The sheet pushes against the floor to provide a ground-hugging "skirt." This skirt lifts the entire hovercraft.

A small plastic disk (or coffee-can lid) keeps the inflated plastic anchored so it doesn't tear loose from the center. The plastic disk also lifts up vent holes so air can escape into the center.

Materials
You'll need the following items to build your hovercraft:

• One piece of plywood about 3 to 4 square feet, 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick
• Plastic sheet one foot larger than the plywood
• Leaf blower or shop vac
• Plastic disk such as a coffee can lid
• Bolt: 2 inches, 1/4-20
• Nut: 1/4-20
• Two fender washers
• Staple gun
• Duct tape

Caution: Kids, don't attempt to build or operate a homemade hovercraft without adult supervision.

Build It
Now it's time to start building your hovercraft.

1. Build it: Platform
     •Cut plywood into a disk shape.
     •Drill a 5/16-inch hole in the exact center so that the 2-inch bolt easily passes through it.
     •Cut a hole to exactly fit the hose from the leaf blower or shop vac. Place the hole slightly off-center, about four inches away from the hole for the bolt.

2. Build it: Air cushion
     •Lay plywood on top of the plastic sheet.
     •Fold the edges of the plastic sheet over the plywood and secure it with a staple gun about every four inches.
     •Cut off excess plastic sheeting.
     •Tape down edges of plastic with duct tape.

3. Build it: Vents
     •Poke a hole in the center of the small plastic disk.
     •Place it on the plastic sheet.
     •Cut six small 2-inch vent holes in the sheet about two inches from the plastic disk. Be sure to keep about two inches of plastic between the vent holes.
     •Connect with the bolt, nut, and washers.

4. Build it: Get Ready to Go
     •Use duct tape to seal any holes and reinforce weak areas.
     •Flip the hovercraft over so the plastic sheet is at the bottom.
     •Stick the leaf blower or shop vac in the hole and turn it on.