Bubble Wand Design Lab

A toy company needs a new bubble wand that is fun to hold and makes bubbles reliably. Students sketch two shapes, build one with pipe cleaners and a straw, test it three times, change one feature, and retest.

Primary

Form + function; prototyping; test & improve

Project Details

Theme

December | Product Design

Messy Level

Suggested Location

Classroom and outside

Prep & Classroom Structure

Prep:

Create individual baggies with supplies for each child.
The class should be broken up into 2 parts. Design = Inside classroom; Testing = Outside
You may want to demo different types without giving away too many ideas, or create a 3 dimensional bubble wand or a large wand (many references online) to get the students excited and ready for the challenge.
Success if the wand: (1) is easy to hold, (2) keeps its shape, and (3) makes a bubble in at least 2 of 3 tries. Retest after one design change.
Ask students to point to the handle and bubble-making part and explain what they changed. Adults can help twist pipe-cleaner ends safely.

Reference video for instructions (for volunteers not class):

Materials

• 3–4 pipe cleaners

• Small shallow cup of bubble solution

• drawing paper

• plastic cookie cutters for shape variety

• Crayons or markers

• Scissors

• Optional beads or straw for handle

Project Instructions

0–5 min: Introduce the toy-design problem and watch the short clip.
5–10: Sketch two wand ideas.
10–25: Choose one idea; bend the loop and attach a straw handle.
25–35: Test the wand 3 times in bubble solution.
35–45: Change ONE feature—loop size, shape, handle, or number of loops.
45–50: Retest, share one improvement, and clean up.

Class Video

Please share with teacher ahead of session:

https://www.pbs.org/video/design-squad-nerf-toys/