AD – GIFTED | One of my favourite perks of being a blogger is that sometimes I get to do some cool kids stuff. Technically, these KS2 fun science experiments for kids subscription boxes from Letterbox Lab are aimed at Flora, our daughter. But hey, they’re brilliant fun for me too, and as I’m writing the reviews, then my rules 🙂 Tailored to the KS2 National Curriculum for STEM and STEAM, they honestly make learning so much fun. I only wish they’d been around when I was at school – who knows, I could have been a contender… Flora had been very excited about the prospect of getting wet and wild with this box, so what did she think of Bubbles Ahoy?*
Letterbox Lab
For those who haven’t read our previous reviews, Letterbox Lab is a series of 12 linked science kits with full instructions and tools (you only need to add water for some of the experiments). Online resources and videos accompany every box, plus some suggestions for further fun science experiments and extension activities. The Explore box (for age 6+) and the Investigate box (for age 8+) both support the UK primary school curricula, and one off boxes start at £11.00 including P&P. And it’s a highly flexible subscription you can pause or cancel at any time.
Bubbles Ahoy
Bubbles Ahoy is the eighth in the Investigate box series, looking at the science of bubbles and boats. This time we had seven different fun science activities, with the usual Messiness star rating at the beginning of each one. Flora had so much fun with her previous box, Over The Top, she loved the two Pico Pults and the Trebuchet (which are all still in use). She couldn’t wait to get started on this latest box. Disclaimer: this post features a lot of videos because… BUBBLES!
- Bubbleology – 2 x bottles of super strong bubble mix, 3 x straws, 6 x pipe cleaners, spatula from Box 6, a bowl, some water, a plate.
- Cububble – liquid soap, sugar, straws, pipe cleaners, bubble mix from Bubbleology, a bowl, some water, spatula.
- Double Bubble – 1 x straw, bubble mix from Bubbleology, a plate.
- The Unburstabubble – sealable polythene bags, some water, 3 x sharp pencils.
- Fizzfoamer – sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, cornflour, red and yellow food colouring, baby oil, plastic tub, safety gloves, pipettes x 2, super strong bubble mix, plus the measuring cylinder, spatula, and safety goggles from Box 1, two bowls, some water.
- Sail the Soapy Sea – cotton swab x 2, foam sheet, boat template, scissors, sink of clean water.
- Paddle Boat – elastic bands x 2, drawing pins x 2, sticky back plastic, glue dots, wooden boat, scissors, ruler, the box, a bath with some clean water.
- A 24-page instruction booklet, a safety sheet, and a Brilliant Bubbleologist badge.
Bubbleology
One of the most enjoyable experiences you can have as a child is blowing bubbles. So we knew these first three fun science experiments were going to be great. Flora diluted her bubble mix and then made a wand with a couple of pipe cleaners and a straw. Bubbles work because one end of the detergent molecule sticks to water and the other repels water (rather like magnets). So, detergent molecules can squeeze water into a very thin sheet or film. And when you dip your wand into the bubble mix and blow into the sheet, it seals around the air, making a bubble – ta da!
We experimented with another bubble wand, this time twisting some pipe cleaners into three smaller circles:
And then it was time to make a giant bubble (apologies for the washing machine sound effects in the background). This was harder, it took a lot of practice and adjustment to get the perfect bubble!
Cububble
So far, so good, plenty of bubbles. But why are all bubbles round? And could we make a square bubble or even a heart-shaped one using one of these wands?
The short answer is no. Because water molecules pull each other into as small a shape as they can, and the smallest shape that can hold air is a round one. But… apparently it is possible to make a square bubble, you just have to be a little cuter. So, the next step was to make a cube bubble wand. And yes, this was a real challenge. Flora and I had a race to see who could make one first with some cut up straws and pipe cleaners. And no, I’m not telling you who won.
Fun fact: adding sugar to the bubble mix stops the water evaporating too quickly, which is what bursts your bubbles. After pouring the bubble mix into a bowl, we had to dip our cube bubble wands and pop any films we saw. Next, we had to dip them again (double dipping). Then, as if by magic, we saw a bubble in the middle with six sides – a cububble!
Double Bubble
After a several minutes of making square bubbles, it was time to move on to the next of the fun science experiments in Flora’s box. Could we make a bubble inside another bubble? Well, it did take a LOT of practice but guess what 🙂 (again, apologies for the sound effects as someone decided to use the microwave when I was filming…)
The Unburstabubble
I mentioned earlier about bubbles tending to burst as the water evaporates, so how could we make a bubble that wouldn’t burst? Well, you cheat! Fill a sealable plastic bag with some water and push a pencil (or three) quickly all the way through the bag. Guess what, it worked. It’s because the plastic bag is made of polymers, or long chain molecules. The pencils slide between the molecules which make a tight seal around them. I have to confess, I decided not to volunteer to have this done above my head though…
Fizzfoamer
Out of all the activities in this latest box, Fizzfoamer was the experiment we were looking forward to the most.
Flora had to carefully mix together citric acid, bicarbonate of soda and cornflour, then divide the powder between two bowls. Next, she had mix baby oil and red food colouring together (which looked like a lava lamp in the measuring cylinder). Drop by drop, she added this to one of the bowls, mixing thoroughly without letting it fizz, until she ended up with what looked like red sand. Then she repeated the process with the yellow food colouring and the remaining powder. We thought this was very similar in texture to moon sand, a DIY version of Play Doh.
Next, it was time to pack the two powders into the plastic tub, pushing them down with her fingers to squeeze them together. Before turning it out of the tub (carefully) and leaving it to dry for an hour.
And then… the big reveal, sliding it into the water. Would it work? Basically, all the chemicals should react together very quickly and release lots of bubbles. Well, apologies that this is a slightly longer video (nearly a minute) but I wanted to share how hugely successful it was, and how much we all LOVED this experiment 🙂
Sail the Soapy Sea
Did you know you can power a boat with soap? Me neither. But it turns out that yes, you can. Flora cut out the boat template, then a foam boat shape, and floated it in a sink of clean water. You know how insects can walk on water? (Water boatmen, anyone?) It’s because the water molecules stick together to form an elastic skin with surface tension. And adding a dot of detergent to the water behind the boat messes up the arrangement. So, with no force pulling the boat back, the tension at the front pulls it forward. Pretty cool, no?
Paddle Boat
A soap-powered boat is pretty cool but it doesn’t move for long. So it was time to use what we learned about catapults in our previous box, Over The Top. Enter cardboard and that product so beloved by Blue Peter, sticky back plastic. Flora stretched some elastic bands between a couple of drawing pins on the wooden boat shape. Then she made a simple two-bladed paddle and slipped it between the bands, twisted the bands, and let the boat go in the sink. Fun fact: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So if you twist the bands the wrong way, the boat goes backwards instead of forwards…
Following on from this, in the last of our fun science experiments, it was time to make a better paddle, one with three blades. And, in honour of the upgrade, we decamped to the bath. Luckily, steering wasn’t the object of the exercise!
Final thoughts
This time we carried out the experiments over the course two days – although you could easily do them all in one, I’m sure. Flora’s favourites science activities were definitely all the bubble ones and the Fizzfoamer. She adored this one above all the other fun science experiments, and she’s very keen to try her hand at making bath bombs now… Huge thanks to Letterbox Lab for our eighth Investigate box, it’s definitely been a hit. And as an enthusiastic crystal and ammonite collector, Flora’s REALLY looking forward to creating crystals, making fossils, and investigating real dinosaur poo (!) with Letterbox Rox next time.
Have you learned anything new about how bubbles and boats work? Which experiment is your favourite? Do you know any kids who’d love to play Bubbles Ahoy – or discover more about science in general – with one of these fabulous subscription boxes?
* This post features gifted items but all opinions are our own.
We went through so many buckets of bubble solution and fun wands, both big and small. It was wonderful when the wind blew and our bubbles would sail above the house and over trees; we used to compete to see whose bubble lasted the longest, so it is interesting to a learn a little bit about what makes a good bubble!
I would love to drop a FizzFoamer into my bath and watch it fizzle. 🙂
Oh, so did we, it was a never ending source of fun and magic – we were always competing too! There’s something so magical about bubbles, it was fascinating to learn more about them and how they work 🙂
Oh wow this looks like so much fun! There is something so simplistic about them but kids love them.
I think we’d have a lot of fun with this in our house x
It was so much fun, Claire, and I learned masses as well – highly recommended! x
Wonderful STEM activities. I wonder about getting these boxes from time to time, but I struggle to find time to do lots of activities with the boys and feel like I (as a PhD chemist) ought to be able to make them myself! Maybe we should invest in a one-off box for October half term…. thanks for the review, I’m definitely considering one of these more seriously now.
They are fantastic for STEM, and depending on how old your boys are, they could probably do a lot of them by themselves too. The Explore box is for younger children, this Investigate box is for older kids. But October half term is a great idea – do let me know what you think if you order one!
Looks like another great kit for STEM fun! I love science, as you know. Thanks for the detailed post!
–Sue
http://www.susanberkkoch.com/blog
It’s probably one of the best and most fun we’ve had, it’s a great kit!
My boys would love This! Bubbles unite us all and stop squabbling! I think like you i would enjoy as well, you just can’t go wrong with bubbles!
Fab review!
Sarah
http://Www.simplysarahjayneloves.com
Ah, thank you, Sarah! You really can’t go wrong with this, bubbles are fabulous – and you get a bath fizzer too, win win!
I haven’t tried a science experiment since I was at school, however this looks fascinating! I would love to give this product a whirl.
These boxes are just as much fun for adults, I promise you 🙂
This looks like so much fun! I am going to have to try some of these experiments with my nieces and nephews when they are here next – I could see them ADORING this. We regularly play with bubbles anyway, so why not make it an educational experience? Right?
That sounds like a really good idea – and they’d love the bath bomb and boat activities too, I’m sure!
Fun science experiment has cool activities for kids. When I was a kid my mother loved buying this kinda experiment activities for me. I learned a lot from it.
Lucky you, my mother never did that for me, haha. I’m learning all about science now, courtesy of Flora’s kits!
Thanks for sharing another one of these boxes 🙂 This one looks really good with the bubbles, fun and science sounds great for my nephews to do 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
This one was one of my favourites to date, it was SO much fun 🙂
This looks like so much fun, I think I night have said this before but can we freeze Flora’s age? It’s going to be so disappointing when she gets too old for these, I love seeing all of these fun experiments. It’s amazing how they make learning so fun like this now. Who doesn’t love bubbles?? x
Sophie
You have said it and I only wish we could, she’s growing up far too fast! I’m not sure what kind of boxes will be around when she’s a teenager (help me) but fingers crossed we’ll find something! We all love these boxes though, they are amazing! x
HA! Forget kids enjoying these…I reckon a lot of adults would love trying these too! It doesn’t matter how old you are because everyone loves bubbles!
I know, that’s EXACTLY how I feel – bring on ALL the bubbles!
These are great science experiments to do at home, I’m sure any child would enjoy trying these! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
They’re brilliant fun, we learn so much!
What a great kit to get through the post! My niece would love this…she loves blowing bubbles and making us pop them. What a great way to learn about science too, by making it fun! It looks like Flora had great fun with this!
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
They’re such good boxes, really well thought out. We learn so much and have so much fun! x
As always, another fun looking experiment. The step kids have been doing some of these throughout lockdown and really enjoyed themselves. I love how by adding sugar, the bubbles can last longer.
Yes, I didn’t know that about sugar before either, that’s a handy tip to remember 🙂
My daughters have been obsessed with science experiments while they’ve been off school and these boxes look ideal for them. I love the videos you’ve shared.
It sounds like these boxes would be perfect – and thank you, you have to video the bubbles, don’t you? 🙂
These sound fab! I’ve got two nieces who would love these.
They are brilliant, highly recommended 🙂
I’ve been passing your posts onto my friends with kids and they’ve loved them!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Oh, Amie, thank you so much, how kind, x and how great to hear that!
There is SO MUCH going on in this box! These videos were really nice in your post too. Thank you for sharing.
I know, right? It was an absolutely fabulous box – glad you enjoyed the videos 🙂
This is so incredibly cool!!! My nieces absolutely love bubbles, I’m going to have to see if this is available in the states. I love the fact that the subscription company take the national curriculum into mind when designing their experiments, that’s so clever. My 5 year old niece is starting kindergarten online (such a bummer cause she absolutely loves school and it’s just not going to be the same sitting in front of a laptop all day). This would be a fun way to make learning more engaging for her. So fun!!
It’s so much fun, who doesn’t love bubbles? I don’t know if they ship overseas, it might be worth emailing them? And yes, I agree, this is so much more fun than sitting in front of a laptop all day, plus it’s fun for parents/aunts too 🙂
I can definitely imagine this being just as fun for you as it is for Flora! I love bubbles (yes, I’m 27). And used to love them as a kid too! There’s so many cool experiments you can do in this box! xxx
Oh yes, blowing bubbles is such a simple activity but the science behind it is fascinating! xxx
I would have loved this as a kid, or when my son was young. Great box and thorough post! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, that’s very kind 🙂
I don’t have kids of my own, but would have loved to get stuck into these experiments when I was a child. They look like so much fun, who can blame you for getting involved!
That’s what I love about these boxes, they’re just as much fun for me!
Great post and advice! Thank you.
You’re welcome 🙂
The first paragraph of your blog post made me laugh! I love all the cool things I get sent for Alexis as I have so much fun with them haha! yup, I probably enjoy them a lot more.
This also really reminds me of something I had as a kid. I was mad obsessed with science and I got something like this for a home. Definitely something I would get for Alexis when she’s older 🙂
Great review!
Yay, I knew another mum would get that! I never had anything like this when I was younger, so I’m making up for it now, haha! x
A great post! I love your blog. Your content is very interesting < 3
I am following you and invite you to me
Thank you, that’s very kind 🙂
This is such a great and educational activity for kids Love it Cris
It really is, and so much fun too 🙂
This seems like such a fun & also educational subscription box! My daughter would love all the bubble experiments & I didn’t know you could make a square bubble!
It’s such a fun box and yes, we were so amazed at the square bubble, it’s like magic!
Oh these experiments look like so much fun and are the perfect activity for kids being stuck at home. If I had kids, I would love to do this with them!
Believe me, they’re not just for kids, I had a blast with them too!
These experiments look so fun! Bubbles have come a long way since I was a kid. I’m not a kid anymore but even I would have a great time with this bubble kit 🙂
I’m very much not a kid either but I can confirm I had a blast with all the bubbles too 🙂
This looks like so much fun and much better for children to get involved in this than being on their phone or watching tv all the time! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Lauren
Honestly, the boxes are so much fun, I feel very lucky to have Flora so I can share the boxes with her!
This is so interesting. No matter because it is experiment for kids I will enjoy make that bubbles.
I can assure you that big kids have just as much fun 🙂
This looks like so much fun! My kids love bubbles so this is the kind of thing they would really enjoy! 🙂
Hope you are having a good weekend 🙂
Ah, that’s great to hear, and I’m sure you’d love it too!
OOooh love that there are fun activities for kids to have some hands-on experience in science experiments. Science labs were always my favorite part of class when I was a kid. It is easier for kids to learn when they are up and personal with the subject. So cool with how much you can learn and do with bubbles!
Nancy ✨
Honestly, kids today, they don’t know how lucky they are…!!! Seriously, these kits are so much fun, who knew you could do so much with soap and water 🙂
This looks like so much fun! Definitely something I would have love to do when I was little xx
It’s just as much fun when you’re grown up too 🙂
Hi Lisa. Just a quick comment to let you know that I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. You can read my post here: https://richiesroom.com/sunshine-blogger-award/
Oh thank you so much, Richie, that’s so kind, I will check it out!
Kids must enjoy so much in these experiments and the same time learn something.
Not just kids either 🙂
Oh cool I love kids experiments, have to try that out with my nieces 🙂
have a great weekend
Tiziana
Thank you – I hope they enjoy them 🙂
Omg that looks like so much fun! I would’ve loved that when I was a kid.
Looks like you had a great time with this!
Carrie xx
We really did – I mean, come on, we had BUBBLES!!!! x