You can use either white or clear school glue. If you use white glue and don’t add any coloring, your ball will be white.
Heat the water in the microwave or on the stove until it’s warm to the touch. It shouldn’t be boiling. You can find Borax in the laundry aisle of a store. Borax is safe to use, but it’s poisonous if ingested in large quantities. If you or your child get it in your eyes or mouth, contact poison control immediately.
Set aside the remaining Borax mixture if you plan on making more balls.
Set a kitchen timer or use the clock app on your phone to keep track of the time.
Choose a sturdy spoon, like a metal or thick plastic one. Something flimsy, like a plastic spoon, will likely break off in the goo. If you’ve made homemade slime with Borax, this process is very similar.
The more you handle the ball, the more firm it will become. If you’re having trouble getting rid of the stickiness, dip the ball in the Borax water, then roll it a little more. This should remove any tacky texture.
Once you’re done playing, store the ball in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Keep it in a cool, dark place, like the pantry. If stored properly, your ball could last for up to 6 months. It won’t go bad, but it will dry out eventually. To make more bouncy balls, mix up another batch of glue and cornstarch and use some of the leftover Borax and water mixture.
If you want a life-sized soccer ball, make the edges 2 inches (5. 1 cm) long. To make a template, use a ruler to draw the hexagon shape on a piece of cardboard. Cut it out and trace around it with a pencil to make each paper hexagon. Cardstock is the best type of paper to use for this craft. It’s sturdy enough to hold the shape of the ball yet still easy to fold.
For example, if you’re creating a life-sized ball, make your pentagon sides 2 inches (5. 1 cm) long. You can use a different color paper instead of black, or get creative and make a multi-colored ball with a variety of shades. Cut a pentagon template out of cardboard to trace on the black paper so that the pieces are all equal size.
To fold the same border on each piece, trace the border before you fold, using a ruler to ensure each edge is an equal width. Use a straight edge, like a ruler, to help you fold the edges in a perfect line. If the edges are crooked, re-fold them. They have to be straight for your ball to be the right shape.
A glue stick will work better than liquid glue to prevent the paper edges from getting soggy. If you are slow at putting the ball together, you may want to apply the glue as you go, rather than all at once. Otherwise, it will dry out on the final pieces by the time you get to them.
If you’re using a glue stick, the glue will dry almost instantly. Wait about 5 to 10 seconds while pressing the edges against one another.
A black piece should never touch another black piece. However, white edges will touch other white edges. If you’re having trouble visualizing the pattern, look up an image of a soccer ball online as a guide. You can stuff the ball with shreds of paper if you want to create a fuller shape.
It doesn’t matter what color play dough you use, since it will just be going inside the balloon. Buy pre-made play dough or make your own at home. If you buy play dough, use one 5 oz (140 g) container per balloon.
If there is a lot of empty space in the balloon, add more play dough. Stretch out the neck of the balloon before you insert the play dough to loosen it up. This step is easier if you have someone else hold the balloon open while you put the play dough inside.
If you want extra protection, you can place your original balloon inside another empty balloon before tying it shut. This adds a double layer in case you poke a hole. You can decorate your stress balls with permanent markers if you’d like. For example, you could draw a funny face or write a calming phrase, like “just breathe. ”
You can also wrap your bands around a bouncy ball or crumpled-up piece of paper for a larger ball. Start with smaller rubber bands, then add the larger ones as the ball gets bigger.
This also makes a great pet toy for dogs to chew on or for cats to bat around. If the ball is for a pet, pick a durable fabric like vinyl or nylon and keep your pet in sight as it plays with the ball. You can use a sewing machine to make your ball or sew it by hand. Cotton is ideal for kids’ toys since it’s a long-lasting and soft fabric that’s easy to wash.
For extra flair and flavor, add things like fresh herbs or edible flowers into the water in the mold before it freezes. You can buy ice ball molds from a kitchen store or online retailer.
You can substitute mascarpone, neufchatel, or goat cheese for the cream cheese if you’d like. Pair any type of softer cheese with the creamy base, depending on your taste preferences. As long as it’s not a dry, crumbly cheese like parmesan, it will work. Serve a cheese ball with finger foods for dipping, like crackers, pretzels, or raw veggies.
