Bubbles have been part of our parenting life for as long as I can remember. Big wands, bubble guns, machines, no-spill pots, bath bubbles, we’ve tried them all. And I mean all.

For my eldest son, who is non-verbal and almost five and a half, bubbles aren’t just a bit of fun. They’re a deep source of joy, comfort and sensory regulation. He’s been drawn to bubbles since he was very small, and his interest in them hasn’t faded in the slightest. If anything, it’s grown stronger.

How he asks for bubbles

Because my son doesn’t use spoken language, asking for bubbles takes different forms. Sometimes he brings the bubble pot or gun directly to us. Other times, he’ll take our hand and pull us to where he thinks the bubbles are kept.

There’s a clear excitement and urgency to the request. It’s one of the few activities that consistently lights him up, and he’s always been clear that he wants more.

Why some autistic children love bubbles

Bubbles offer a very specific kind of sensory input. They’re:

• Visually calming — the floating, shimmering movement is easy to track
• Tactile — the pop of bubbles provides quick, light feedback on the skin
• Predictable — you blow, they appear, then pop and disappear
• Engaging — they create a clear start and end, which many children find satisfying

Not every autistic child is drawn to bubbles, but for many like my son, it’s a perfect combination of visual, physical and emotional feedback.

He also loves bubbles in the bath. The feeling of them, the look of the foam, the way they move and disappear. It’s another form of the same sensory experience, just in a different setting.

When bubbles become challenging

As wonderful as bubbles are, there are moments when the obsession becomes difficult to manage.

My son struggles when it’s time to stop. If the bubble solution runs out, or the machine is switched off, it can quickly lead to a meltdown. The intensity of his attachment to the activity means that transitions away from bubbles need to be handled carefully — or avoided entirely if we know he’s already dysregulated.

It’s also a challenge when we’re out. If another child has bubbles — whether it’s a wand, a gun, or a machine — he will follow them. We’ve had situations in holiday parks or at family events where he’ll leave everything else and simply trail the bubbles. At a recent concert for children, he wasn’t able to sit down until we gave him his own bubble wand after spotting others using them.

It’s not just curiosity. It’s a fixation, and when he sees bubbles, it’s almost impossible for him to focus on anything else until he has access to his own.

What helps (sometimes)

There’s no one solution, but here are some of the things that help us:

• Bubble machines — these are easier to manage at home as we can place them outside. We prefer them to guns, which tend to get aimed at furniture or carpets and leave sticky messes behind.
• Short, structured sessions — setting a visual timer or using a “two more goes” countdown helps (on a good day).
• Clear alternatives — moving to another sensory activity like foam, water play, or a favourite toy.
• Consistency — we use the same “all done” signal and tone of voice each time to help set expectations.

But some days, we simply let the bubbles run until he’s done. It’s not always perfect, but it’s part of what works for him.

Why we still love bubbles

Even with the challenges, bubbles have brought us so many moments of connection. They’ve helped with transitions, kept him calm in queues, and turned difficult days around. They’re a motivator, a regulator and sometimes the only thing that works when nothing else does.

Our favourite bubble products

If you’re looking to explore bubble play or manage it a bit more easily at home, here are some of the things we use or recommend:

Rechargeable bubble machine
Our favourite for outdoor play and fewer messes inside.
👉 [Amazon affiliate link]

Giant bubble wand set
Great for calm, slow sessions where he can watch them drift.
👉 [Amazon affiliate link]

No-spill toddler bubble pot
Helps younger siblings get involved without spills or frustration.
👉 [Amazon affiliate link]

Scented bubbles
Adds a nice extra sensory layer, especially in the bath.
👉 [Amazon affiliate link]

These are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we’ve used and found helpful.

Bubbles are simple, but they mean so much more in our house. For our son, they’re joy, regulation and sensory comfort — all in one. Yes, there are challenges. But we keep a steady supply of bubble solution on hand, and we build our expectations around it.

Sometimes the smallest things are the biggest tools.