(NAPSI)—For centuries, children have been blowing bubbles over pots and pans of soapy water. Cheap fun. Around 1940, smart and savvy cleaning supplies company Chemtoy decided to bottle bubble solution, thus creating a revolution in the toy business. At number 15 on Time magazine’s “ALL TIME-100 Greatest Toys” list, bubble solution is the top-selling toy in the world year after year, with bubble solution sales estimated at over $200 million per year. Who knew a simple mixture of soap and water could be so lucrative?

But the business of bubbles isn’t really all that simple. Manufacturers each year seek to top themselves by creating more innovative ways to blow a bubble and burst profit margins in time for National Bubble Week in March. This holiday heralds the start of spring and the official bubble-blowing season, often with weather personalities blowing the first bubbles of spring on air in hopes of warmer weather. If only Punxsutawney Phil could blow bubbles we’d have an early spring every year!

This year, there are a few true standouts in the area of bubbles that will really blow you away. Let’s start with Paddle Bubble by TPF Toys. As featured on “The View,” this may very well be the world’s first bubble game. Whether Paddle Bubbling solo or volleying with a friend, players first blow and then try to keep bubbles from popping as they tap them from paddle to paddle! Complete with two paddles and bubble solution, Paddle Bubble is available at retailers nationwide for $9.99. Ages 4+

Putting a new spin on the traditional soapy bubbles, Blo n’ Glo, from Uncle Milton, makers of popular science toys like the flagship Ant Farm^®, is the only patented, handheld, helium-free, light-up balloon. A vibrant, color-changing LED light with seven brilliant colors helps turn balloons into a colorful light show, which also includes a one-way blow tube that makes inflation easy and also works as a fun handle. Blo n’ Glo will be available at retailers nationwide in the fall for $2.49-$9.99. Ages 4+

If the weather near you isn’t quite bubble ready, enjoy bubbles indoors with Talking Tom Bubble Shooter, from the makers of Talking Tom—Outfit7 Limited. This immersive and innovative bubble-shooter game is set in a vibrant theme park. Fans can play solo or go head to head for double-bubble trouble in a thrilling tournament of triumph and skill. Players pop through layers of bubbles to progress through 180 levels of the theme park, collecting stickers, coins and gems, unlocking more characters to play as, and power bonuses, such as “Mighty Bombs” and more. Talking Tom Bubble Shooter is FREE and available on all platforms at http://outfit7.com/apps/talking-tom-bubble-shooter/. Appropriate for all ages.

Splashlings, also from TPF Toys, takes bubble play into the bathtub with a special group of mermaids and shells, as well as more than 130 pets, underwater gems, and treasures to collect. Created by the inventor of Pound Puppies, this underwater collectible jewel is already bubbling to the top among young girls who love minitrinkets like Shopkins. Splashlings are priced from $2.99 to $19.99 and are available at Toys “R” Us nationwide. Ages 4+

As we’ve seen through the centuries, bubbles are timeless, for all ages and often used as a symbol of peace and tranquility. So pop into a local retailer near you and get ready to celebrate springtime and bubble season with your kids, grandkids, pets or on your own. After all, bubble fun is definitely cheaper than therapy.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)