About This Video

In this craft activity, Kate and Nicole show participants how to design paper using bubbles, soap, water, and color.

The video begins by gathering simple materials, including cups or bowls, dish soap, water, food coloring or ink, straws, and thicker paper such as cardstock. Kate and Nicole explain how to mix a bubble solution using measured amounts of soap and water, then add color to create different bubble paints.

Participants learn how to blow bubbles into the colored soap mixture, then press paper over the bubbles or move the bubbles onto the paper with a safe flat edge. As the bubbles pop, they leave behind colorful circles, organic shapes, edges, and layered patterns.

The video also includes reminders about trial and error, adjusting the soap and water mixture, using darker colors on white paper, letting bubbles pop on their own, layering different colors, protecting the table, and letting the paper dry overnight.

This video gives participants a hands-on craft activity focused on bubbles, color, pattern, texture, experimentation, patience, and turning decorated paper into something new.

Supplies Needed

• Cups or bowls

• Dish soap

• Water

• Food coloring, ink, or watercolor

• Straws, not for drinking

• Cardstock, watercolor paper, printmaking paper, poster board, or another thicker paper

• Spoon, teaspoon, or measuring spoon

• Safe flat edge, such as a butter knife, spatula, or piece of cardboard

• Paper towels

• Newspaper, butcher paper, cardboard, magazine pages, or another table covering

• Optional: scissors

• Optional: gloves, smock, apron, or old shirt

Good For

• Adults with IDD who enjoy crafts, color, bubbles, sensory materials, paper projects, pattern, texture, or making something by hand.

• Caregivers looking for a creative activity with everyday materials, flexible steps, experimentation, and room for playful discovery.

• Adult day programs, home routines, or group activities about crafts, color, bubbles, paper design, organic shapes, pattern, creative expression, and gift-making.

• Participants who benefit from visual modeling, hands-on exploration, repeated steps, color choices, and permission to experiment without needing a perfect result.

How to Use This Video

Use this video as a guided craft activity for a home routine, day program, small group, or creative session.

Caregivers can help participants gather cups or bowls, soap, water, coloring, straws, paper, measuring tools, a safe flat edge, paper towels, and a covered work surface. Participants can choose colors before they begin or experiment with different color combinations as they go.

This video can be paused often while participants mix soap and water, add color, blow bubbles, press paper onto the bubbles, move bubbles onto the paper, wait for bubbles to pop, layer colors, and set the paper aside to dry.

The finished bubble paper can become a card, bookmark, note, gift tag, collage material, book page, framed piece, or decorative paper for another craft. Participants can also compare different colors, bubble sizes, organic shapes, edges, and layered patterns.

Because this activity involves soap, food coloring, straws, wet paper, blowing bubbles, table covering, and possible mess or staining, caregivers should provide support with setup, clothing protection, safe materials, reminders not to drink through the straw, pacing, cleanup, and any needed visual or hands-on assistance.

At the end, participants can choose their favorite bubble paper, describe the colors or patterns they made, decide how to use the finished paper, or make another version with different colors.