Freezing Bubbles In Winter - Little Bins For Little Hands

When temperatures drop below freezing, bubbles can turn into delicate ice spheres right before your eyes. This freezing bubbles winter science experiment is a playful way for kids to explore how cold temperatures affect water, surface tension, and ice formation.

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While frozen bubbles often look effortless online, this activity is really about observing changes, not creating perfect ice bubbles. Grab your bubble solution, bundle up, and head outside to see what happens!

Freezing Bubbles Recipe

This simple bubble solution works well for cold-weather experiments and uses easy-to-find materials.

Supplies

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 4 tablespoons dish soap

How to Make the Bubble Solution

Add all ingredients to a container and mix gently. Try not to create bubbles while stirring. Let the solution rest for best results.

💡 Want stronger bubbles? Try our homemade bubble solution recipe for bubbles that last longer and hold their shape better during experiments.

Best Conditions for Freezing Bubbles

Frozen bubbles don’t happen instantly — and that’s okay!

• Temperature: Best results below 20°F
• Wind: Calm, windless days work best
• Surface: Snow, frozen ground, railings, or a cold plate
• Expectation: Many bubbles will pop before freezing — watching what happens still counts as science!

💡 This activity works best when kids understand that trying, observing, and noticing changes is the goal.

How to Make Freezing Bubbles

Take your bubble solution outside and try blowing bubbles onto a cold surface or into the air.

At around 19°F, we noticed bubbles didn’t pop right away like they do indoors. Instead, they slowly began to change and freeze, forming a cloudy, frosty shell over time.

Wind made things tricky. Even a small breeze could pop bubbles before they fully froze. On calmer moments, we could clearly see ice crystals spreading across the bubble’s surface.

Some bubbles froze more than others — and some didn’t freeze at all. Each try looked a little different!

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What Happens When Bubbles Freeze?

As bubbles freeze, kids may notice:

• The bubble surface turns cloudy instead of clear
• Frosty or icy patterns appear
• Frozen bubbles leave behind tiny ice fragments when they pop

These small changes are great opportunities for kids to describe what they see and ask questions.

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The Science Behind Freezing Bubbles

Field: ChemistryGrades: K–4Concepts Explored: States of matter, freezing point, surface tension

A bubble is a super-thin layer of soapy water filled with air. This layer has three parts:

• A thin layer of water
• Sandwiched between two layers of soap molecules

Soap molecules have:

• A water-loving head facing the water
• A water-repelling tail facing outward

When it’s very cold, the water layer in the bubble begins to freeze. Ice crystals slowly spread across the surface. Soap slows this process just enough for us to see it happen.

Bubbles naturally form spheres because a sphere uses the least amount of energy to hold its shape — even while freezing!

Tips for a Kid-Friendly Experience

• Focus on watching and noticing, not perfect frozen bubbles
• Try placing bubbles gently on snow or frozen surfaces
• Talk about what changes and what stays the same
• Dress warmly and keep experiment time short

This activity works best as a quick outdoor science observation, especially for younger kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bubbles freeze instantly?No. Freezing takes time, and many bubbles will pop before fully freezing.

Why don’t all bubbles freeze?Wind, temperature changes, and movement can cause bubbles to pop before ice forms.

What temperature is best for freezing bubbles?Below about 20°F, though results vary depending on wind and humidity.

Is this experiment okay for young kids?Yes! It’s great for preschool and elementary kids when framed as an observation activity rather than a guaranteed outcome.

Do I need special bubble solution?No. A simple homemade solution works fine, though results will always vary.

Extend the Learning

Explore our complete Bubble Science for Kids collection here.

• Compare bubbles indoors vs outdoors
• Observe bubbles at slightly different temperatures
• Draw or photograph what the bubbles look like as they change

Even if you don’t get fully frozen bubbles, there’s plenty of science to explore!

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More Winter Science Activities

Explore our full collection of winter science activities here.

• How Do Polar Bears Stay Warm?
• Frost On A Can
• What Makes Ice Melt Faster?
• Ice Cream In A Bag
• Winter Weather Activities

You don’t need perfect conditions to enjoy winter science — curiosity is what matters most!

Extend Your Winter Learning

If your kids enjoyed this winter activity, explore our Winter STEM Pack—a collection of hands-on winter science and STEM activities with printable instructions, recording pages, and extension ideas. It’s perfect for homeschool, classroom centers, or seasonal learning.

👉 Explore the Winter STEM Pack »