Ingredients
Ingredients:
-
1 tablespoon of white school glue (PVA glue)
-
½ teaspoon of borax powder (available in laundry or cleaning aisles)
-
2 tablespoons of warm water
-
Cornstarch – 1 tablespoon (optional, for firmness)
-
Food coloring or glitter (optional, for customizing your balls)
-
Two small disposable cups or bowls
-
A stir stick or plastic spoon
-
Rubber gloves (optional, but recommended for sensitive skin)
-
Paper towels or wax paper
Instructions
In a small cup, mix ½ teaspoon of borax powder with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Stir until the borax is completely dissolved. This is your activator solution that will cause the glue to transform into a rubbery polymer.
In a second cup, pour 1 tablespoon of white glue. If you want your ball to have a pop of color or sparkle, add a few drops of food coloring or a pinch of glitter to the glue. Stir until the color is evenly mixed. Then, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to give the ball a firmer texture and help it hold shape.
Slowly pour the borax solution into the glue mixture. As you stir, you’ll notice the glue begins to solidify and form a slimy, rubbery consistency. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens and forms a sticky blob.
Once the ball starts coming together, take it out of the cup and begin kneading it with your hands. You may want to wear rubber gloves at this stage. Knead and roll the blob between your palms until it becomes less sticky and forms a smooth, round ball. This might take 3–5 minutes.
Roll the kneaded dough into a sphere. If it’s still a bit sticky, let it sit on a piece of wax paper for a few minutes. It will continue to firm up as it dries. Once it’s shaped and solid, it’s ready to bounce!
Notes
While we call this a “recipe,” it doesn’t involve actual cooking—just some chemistry magic! Keep the ingredients out of reach of very young children, especially borax, which should not be ingested. Always supervise young kids during this activity.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5–10 minutes