Hobbies And Interests
Bubble-Blowing Possibilities
The task of blowing a bubble with gum can be not only a cure for boredom but also an experimental process and a valued playground skill. Gum chewers can experiment to find the brand of gum that produces the best bubbles; gums with more sugar and a tougher consistency tend to make larger and more durable bubble material. After you've mastered the traditional bubble, try blowing a bubble within a bubble by sealing off the first one and then blowing through it again to produce a smaller bubble.
Flavors and Combinations
While bubble gum is considered to be its own flavor, and is often used in flavoring other foods like chewy candies and ice cream, there is also some degree of variation between different bubble gum brands. Bubble gum enthusiasts may enjoy comparing the old-fashioned juicy sweetness of brands like Double Bubble and Bazooka with subtle sugar-free flavors that come in the form of a stick. Adventurous chewers may also enjoy chewing other candies or gum varieties into their current gum to make new flavors.
Mouth-Stuffing Contests
Another fun aspect of bubble gum is its ability to bring out the chewer's carefree immaturity. The pastime of seeing how much bubble gum you can manage to chew at one time and competing with other gum-chewers is likely as old as bubble gum itself. This effort is especially amusing if performed with bubble gum that comes rolled in a long strip like Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape, the packaging of which advertises the "6 feet of fun" inside the round plastic box.
Gum Sculpture
While the pastime of removing chewed gum and applying it to some landmark or to public property is largely discouraged, kids still find it to be one of the most exciting aspects of bubble gum. Theme parks, large trees and areas where a waiting line forms are often hotspots for these anonymous, collective efforts to assemble a giant mass of chewed gum. Chewers who want to avoid vandalism could also recycle their chewed gum into a personal artistic expression. In fact, Italian artist Maurizio Savini has used his chewed gum as material for sculptures that have sold for as much as $65,000.