Bubble machines are a foolproof way to get any party started.
Sure, good decorations and a watertight sound system help, but for an extra vibey element, you won’t go far wrong with streams of bubbles dancing on a breeze.
You may think they’re for kids alone, and you’re not entirely wrong. Set up a machine during a garden playdate or birthday party, and you may not need to cough up for an entertainer at all. The basic mix of soapy water, hoops and simple air will do the hard work for you.
Pets love them too. Starting a machine in the garden is a fun way for Fido and Rover to burn excess energy when they’re overexcited or have the zoomies.
It’s a simple pleasure we carry into adulthood. Picture the joy of bubbles at a BBQ (once the grill is off - no one wants to bite down on a soap-kissed hot dog); a stream of iridescent orbs blowing across a wedding aisle or reception dance floor; catching the light of a disco ball at your next house party. They’re a bit like fireworks except there’s no chance of being burned by a stray ember and you won’t traumatise your pets.
Bubbles are so popular that an entire immersive experience has been set up in the capital to celebrate them. You’ll find Bubble Planet in the shadow of the great Wembley Stadium with VR tech, illusions, ballpits and more ready to transport you and your kids to a magical bubbly world.
With spring and summer crawling closer by the day, buying one now means you’re ready to hit play the second weather and temperature levels permit it. From cute bubble-blowing toys for toddlers to professional machines that fire out a steady stream, see our edit of the best bubble machines below.
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Chad Valley Bubble Lawn Mower
There are a surprising number of lawnmower-shaped bubble machines out there. You have to applaud the concept, priming kids to see future garden chores as a magical, exciting activity. Join in by giving your aspiring tiny Titchmarsh a taste of fun with this bubble lawnmower from Chad Valley.
The interactive 3 x AA battery toy blows out bubbles as it’s pushed and even makes realistic sounds to get them in the swing of it. Sold with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £10.00, Argos
Babuloo Birthday Cake Bubble Machine
Once the candles on the real cake have been blown out, roll out this bubble machine to keep the birthday vibes going. Perfect for young children’s birthdays, the cheerful design is capable of spurting out 10,000 bubbles a minute and comes with lights and music for extra entertainment. It’s available in blue and pink.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Rechargeable Bazooka Rocket Bubble Blaster
With 73 bubble holes, there’s no chance of anyone missing out on the bubble fun. The handheld nature of the machine is great for manoeuvrability and it’s a rechargeable device so there’s no need to buy batteries. Bubble solution comes supplied with the blaster.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
OidoZac Rechargeable Bubble Machine
With a generous 500ml tank and a 2400mAh battery, this bubble machine will be on call for your whole party. The rotating device pushes out bubbles evenly over the space even if there’s no wind. And it’s USB-C chargeable, so all you’ll need is the right wire to power it up rather than unsustainable AAs.
Buy now £33.99, Amazon
Automatic Bubble Blower
Perfect for parties, this machine can rotate up to 360°, offering an even spray of bubbles. Set it up on an outdoor shelf or hanging basket to help spread bubble coverage across your space.
The cordless design comes with a long-lasting 3000mAh battery with a maximum run time of five hours and it comes with two packs of bubble concentrate that, when mixed with tap water, will form rainbow-tinted orbs that will delight all.
Buy now £39.99, Amazon
Tecnock Bubble Machine
A big party is no time to hire an amateur. Get professional bubbles you can rely on with this speaker-like device from Tecnock. Fitted with a wheel of hoops which are dipped into the soapy solution and then swivelled up against a fan, you can expect around 15,000 bubbles a minute. No matter how great your lungs are, no human is matching that.
It comes with LED lights for extra festivities and there’s a carry handle to let you lug it around from room to room.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Panacare Automatic Bubble Machine for Kids
Double the bubble blowers means double the fun. One to pull out when you’ve got an entire class of kids to entertain, expect 20,000 bubbles a minute with this bad boy. As such it’s one to use outside because cleaning off this much bubble residue off upholstery and indoor surfaces is no one’s idea of a good time.
LED lights allow you to put on a show at night and the whole unit can be powered by 4 x AA batteries or a USB plug, so you can team it with a battery pack if you’re on the move.
Buy now £23.99, Amazon
Portable Automatic Bubble Machine for Kids
Headed camping or off on a beach trip? Keep the bubble fun going with this portable machine that can also rotate 90°/180°. It’s a hard worker, pushing out 20,000 bubbles a minute from its sleek white leaf-proof chassis. It comes with two rechargeable batteries so you’ll always have a spare to swap in once you’ve exhausted the first after its 60-minute run.
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
