Bubbles From Hell
What kid doesn’t like to blow bubbles, especially if they are really colorful? Crayola™– you know, the crayons people– have come up with Washable Color Bubbles™. Sounds like a great idea, especially since kids love bright colors. Well, it seems that those bubbles aren’t very washable. Parents have been complaining about stains that are left when the bubble bursts or the bubble solution drips. And the solution drips all over the place. What’s more, the solution is thick and gooey. That makes it difficult for younger children to blow bubbles.
Crayola™ has been trying to put a different spin on the product. If you go to their website www.crayola.com/products/splash/colored_bubbles you’ll see their take on it:
“Say ‘Yes’ to Colorful Mess!”
“Remember splashing through puddles and making mud pies? Crayola Washable Colored Bubbles remind us of a time when outdoor messy play was just part of being a kid. The bright, bold, vibrant bubble colors are so much fun, they will leave colorful marks. Here are some helpful hints to let kids have lots of colorful fun and for moms not to worry about the mess!”
“Super soak it! An extra-fun day may result in a few stubborn marks. Don’t sweat it if some colors are still visible after washing clothes. Just pre-soak in water and detergent for 20 minutes and rewash. The colors will wash out.”
“Catch some rays! Sunlight will help to fade colors on the ground that don’t immediately wash off with a hose!”
“Bubble play, the outdoor way! Mom always said, “Don’t blow bubbles in the house!” That goes double for Colored Bubbles which are designed for outdoor use only.”
“Saturday sweats, not Sunday bests! Wear play clothes when using Colored Bubbles. Never bring them to formal occasions like weddings or other events where folks are not dressed for the mess!”
“Go from blacktops to green fields. If you’d rather not colorize your driveway or sidewalk, Colored Bubbles work great in the backyard or in other grassy areas.”
There is a warning label in tiny print on the bottle stating, “Before use test on an inconspicuous area and let dry. Wash off to make sure bubble solution does not stain…Do not use at weddings or indoors….Keep away from brick, vinyl, finished and unfinished wood, wallpaper, painted walls, carpeting, draperies, and other materials that cannot be laundered.”
Parents have a completely different view of the product. Amazon.com currently lists over 40 disastrous reviews of how carpets, furniture, patios, granite counter tops and clothes have all been ruined.
One person wrote “I would rate zero stars if it would let me. I thought these looked like fun and a neat new twist on bubbles. I have two children, ages 3 and 7, who both enjoy blowing bubbles. What a TOTAL DISASTER these turned out to be!! My 7 year old didn’t even want to continue with them as they were such a mess and don’t even make bubbles. Of course the 3 year old loved them as she turned blue as a Smurf! The bubble liquid was everywhere…grass, sidewalk, steps, tracked in the house on the bottom of shoes, running down her face, hair, clothes, hands, all over me as I tried to clean her up enough to even bring her inside…EVERYWHERE! I followed the washing directions for the clothes and it did not come out of everything. It did wash off my daughter, thankfully! I cannot imagine how this made it past any kind of “real people” testing. WORST PRODUCT EVER!! Do NOT Buy!!”
Another reviewer said,” I’d like the Crayola product manager for these bubbles to come to my house to scrub the stains off the concrete in front of my house. I suspect that he/she is currently available for such a job.”
We have used bubbles for childrens’ portrait sessions, but I think I’ll skip these.
