TL;DR: Every baby and child loves bubbles, and they are not just fun to play with; they are very beneficial to all who play with them, especially babies. Bubbles accelerate cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development, and this blog breaks it all down.
Babies and Bubbles: 4 Ways Bubbles Benefit
Now that summer is here, chances are you are spending a lot of time outside with chalk, bubbles, and water play. Out of these three, bubbles are generally the most popular and captivating. Some children don't like to draw, some do not like the sensation of water, but all children love watching, popping, and blowing bubbles. Bubbles aren't just fun to watch, they are very beneficial to all who play with them, including you, the parent, and especially your baby. Keep reading to learn all about the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional benefits of bubbles and the one stress-free, mess-free, worry-free bubble wand you need.
Bubbles and Cognitive Skills
Bubbles can challenge babies and their cognitive skills in many ways. Since bubbles are unpredictable, fast, and pop when grabbed, they can teach a baby plenty of important cognitive skills.
These include:
- Visual tracking. Following and tracking bubbles isn't just fun for babies; it helps them learn how to coordinate their eye movements. This helps later in life with things like reading or watching fast objects.
- Object permanence. Your baby is constantly learning that even though they can't see something, it doesn't mean it's not there. They learn that even though bubbles float away or pop, there is something else creating them, and more will come.
- Cause and effect. Babies learn, via bubbles, that their actions have consequences. This includes learning that popping bubbles makes them disappear, waving a breeze changes their direction, and so much more.
Bubbles and Physical Development
If your baby is on the cusp of learning a new physical skill, such as reaching, rolling, crawling, or walking, bubbles are a great way to get them over that hump in a natural way!
Some babies are at the right age for a certain developmental skill, such as crawling, but don't yet have the confidence or bravery to get up and get going.
A little bit of bubble play before naptime will have them naturally wanting to chase the bubbles, encouraging them to get up and get moving without feeling stressed, pressured, or scared.
Bubbles and Social Skills
Working on social skills with babies is important so that they learn how to express emotion and connect with humans, and learn skills such as empathy, cooperation, and language.
Toddlers get the most social skill development with bubbles as they learn how to share with others, play together, laugh, and have fun with others. But babies still get some great benefits, too!
These include:
- Smiling and connecting with parents and caregivers
- Positive interactions with other babies and older children
- Moments of bonding with older siblings
- Learning turn-taking
Bubbles and Emotional Growth
Babies and emotional regulation do not come hand in hand. Babies do not have the ability to calm themselves down; in fact, they rely entirely on you to help them with that.
Babies experience plenty of different and new emotions during the first year of their lives. Some examples include:
- Separation anxiety
- Transition tantrums
- "Stranger Danger"
- Anger
- Joy
- Safety
If your baby is difficult to calm down, or if you are a caregiver who has a difficult time calming children down who experience separation anxiety or stranger danger, bubbles can be a great tool to help with that.
Bubbles encourage deep rhythmic breathing, and watching bubbles float can be mesmerizing. All of these things have a calming effect!
The Best Bubbles for Babies
The best bubbles for babies are ones that are easy to use, aren't overwhelming, can be used indoors, and are stress-free for parents. It is also important to find a bubble solution that is nontoxic and safe for baby's skin.
Innobaby's Spike Bubble Play Set is the perfect bubble wand for babies!
No huge, messy jugs for parents. No flimsy wand, no drippy mess. Simply pour some solution into the tray, dip, and blow. Easy!
Plus, when your baby becomes a toddler, they will be able to use this set all by themselves!
Our botanical bubble solution is also easy on the skin and formulated with plant extracts, coconut oil, purified water, and other quality ingredients. This makes it great for sensitive skin, baby's skin, and to use indoors. We do not use any harsh soaps or detergents, so our bubbles pop dry and do not leave a streaky mess when wiped up.
Our bubbles are long-lasting & mess-free without the soapy gooey residue. Perfect for kids with skin sensitivity, sensory play, bubble therapy, classrooms, birthday parties, special events, and more! Made with non-toxic, worry-free botanical ingredients, our bubble solution will not dry out your skin or cause stickiness.
If your kids love bubbles, but you hate the mess, and are worried about skin sensitivity to bubble play, you will fall in love with our skin-happy bubble solution!