The Associated Press

After months of children being cooped up in the house, the weather finally is inviting youngsters to play outside.

Unfortunately, though, running and jumping is entertaining for only so long. After that, children might need some suggestions for other outdoor activities.

Building a "big, big bubble machine" is a possibility.

The recipe comes from Get Out! Outdoor Activities Kids Can Enjoy Anywhere (Except Indoors) by Hallie Warshaw with Jake Miller. (Sterling; $9.95 paperback).

For big, big bubble machine you'll need

• Dishwashing soap

• Water

• Bucket

• Glycerin (available at drug stores), sugar, corn syrup or gelatin (optional)

• Twine or string

• Scissors

• Drinking straws

Make a batch of "bubble juice" in a bucket by mixing 1 measure of soap to 10-20 measures of water. Sudsier soap and drier weather both require more water.

To make bubbles so sturdy they bounce, add glycerin, sugar, corn syrup or gelatin to the mix. Start with about a tablespoon of any of these for every cup of bubble juice.

Build your bubble maker: Cut a piece of heavy twine or cotton kite string about 3 feet long. Thread it through two drinking straws and tie a knot. Pull the loop into a rectangle, so that the straws are parallel to each other. (Cut ends off bendable straws.)

Dip the loop in the bucket of bubble juice. Using the straws as handles, open the loop and blow gently on the soap film. Squeeze loop shut to form a complete bubble. Swirl bubble maker in the air for funny-shaped bubbles.