Bubble wrap is a playful, open-ended material for young inventors.

I host monthly open studios for families at my local library. It is a two-hour event where children of all ages (and often their adults) can make anything they want with the materials. I usually offer three tables with curated materials that invite exploration: a liquid watercolor table, a collage or mixed-media table, and a maker table with a buffet of recycled and repurposed materials to choose from. Many people in my town know that I collect “things” for the library, so recently a friend texted saying she had a big bag of bubble wrap. I almost said no because bubble wrap takes up a lot of space, and I already had some. But I picked up the giant garbage bag from her house, stuffed it in my car, and brought it straight to the library. They were kind enough to store it for me. It was now up to me to figure out how to get children to choose this material from the enticing buffet!

Bubble wrap is strewn across the middle of the maker table in an inviting way with other repurposed and recycled materials and tools for connecting and altering.

I try to minimize my prep as much as possible, using what I already have and giving children the tools they need to alter and connect pieces together. With tape, wire, rubber bands, scissors, and hot glue guns, they are completely equipped to make a plan or just work as they go and see what happens. As you can see in the photo above, I went a little extra on this day (and the reason was more personal… I needed to use my hands to make things as a distraction, and it worked!). I covered some of the milk cartons with magazine pages, and I painted some of the bubble wrap. The paint flaked right off, and interestingly, most of the children tore the magazine images off the milk cartons — they preferred the bare bones. But it made for a beautiful picture! I always try to make an inviting tablescape for the first few families that come into the space.

From top left: Painted bubble wrap with gold liquid watercolor, hot glued to cardboard (age 8.) Painted and rolled bubble wrap tied with wire (age 6). Bubble wrap and tubes with tape (age 2). Rolled up (and popped) bubble wrap with tape, fabric, collage, wire, and egg carton (age 4).

The scene is pretty hectic and busy during those two hours. I try and take photos and document through video as much as I can. Sometimes I bring pieces over to a blank wall and take these minimalist artistic photo with the child and alone with just the piece. Children always love to see these photos, it makes them feel so proud — like they are real artists in a museum. Above and below are some pieces that I documented over the course of two Sundays in January and February.

This young artist popped the bubbles first then attached styrofoam, ribbon, and coffee bods with wire.

Children of all ages used the bubble wrap for their inventions, sculptures, and playful creations. Next time you find some bubble wrap, save it! Read more here about Bar’s favorite open-ended materials she brings to the library. And don’t forget about out Toddler Guide if you are offering these materials to the very young.