At Home Activity: Scrub a Dub

A toddler makes bubbles and foam in a bowl as an at home art project.

Today's Chicago Children’s Museum parent PSA: not every at home art project requires drawing or crafting.  

If you’re worried about running low on art supplies, or simply just not feeling up for more traditional arts and crafts activities, Scrub a Dub has you covered! Simply find a spot that’s safe for splashing (think kitchens, bathrooms, or even outside), fill up a couple of buckets or bowls with water and dish soap, and let the foam sculpting begin. 

This at home art activity not only keeps your littles occupied for a bit, it also lets them practice their fine motor skills as they pop and mold their sudsy creations.  

Once they’ve had their fill of foam, they’re likely ready to become Bubbleologists.   

Scrub a Dub

  • Sensory exploration 

  • Fine motor skills 

Kids will: 

Your child will be occupied for a good stretch of time when they explore the anomaly of foamy bubbles!   

What you’ll need: 

  • A drop cloth (a vinyl table cloth would be best) or a space that can get wet 

  • A large pot, tin, or shallow plastic container or bin 

  • Dish soap or bubble solution 

  • Water 

  • Whisk 

How to:  

To make a good froth, use a tablespoon of any mild dish soap in a large bowl. Add about two cups of water. Using a whisk, blend the water and soap. The more you whisk the tinier bubbles you’ll make!  Scoop the bubbles into the play bin of your choice. You can add the water into the container so that your child can make more bubbles as they play with the bubble solution.  

Add spoons, sponges, and small bowls to the play bin and let them at it! This activity is best for a kitchen, bathroom, or space with a water-resistant floor. It would also be great outdoors. 

For little ones: make sure that the water is no deeper than an inch. This will help keep water in the bin. Your toddler’s older siblings may not be able to resist getting their hands into the suds! They can create foam sculptures by pushing and squishing the suds into blob-like shapes! They will also be a great teammate by ensuring that there are enough bubbles in the bin as they continue to pop away.