Super Elastic Bubble Plastic facts for kids

Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was a popular children's toy. It was made by the company Wham-O. This toy was sold from the 1970s into the 1980s. It let kids blow their own plastic bubbles. These bubbles were much stronger than regular soap bubbles!

What Was Super Elastic Bubble Plastic?

This toy came in a tube. Inside was a thick, gooey plastic substance. It also came with a thin straw. Kids would squeeze out a small amount of the plastic. It was about the size of a pea. They would roll it into a little ball.

How Did It Work?

Next, one end of the straw was pushed into the plastic ball. The child would then blow into the other end of the straw. This would inflate the plastic. It would turn into a bubble! Once the bubble was big enough, they would pinch the hole closed. This sealed the air inside the bubble.

What Were the Bubbles Like?

The bubbles felt a bit like bubblegum. They were much tougher than regular soap bubbles. You could gently move them to make different shapes. You could even stack them to create simple figures. Think of making a plastic snowman! The size of the bubble depended on how much plastic you used. However, they were not as strong as regular balloons. They could pop if blown up too much. They also popped if handled too roughly or squeezed hard.

Why Was It Discontinued?

The plastic substance in the toy had a strong smell. These fumes could be harmful if breathed in too much. Especially, the fumes could build up inside the straw. Because of this, it was not safe to inhale through the straw while blowing. The toy was not suggested for children younger than five years old.

Due to these safety concerns, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was eventually stopped. This type of toy is now banned in Canada. In 2016, there was even a recall for Super Elastic Bubble Plastic in Canada. Other similar products still exist today under different names.