Stress balls are very easy to make using easily found ingredients. You just need some balloons and stuffing. If you want a stress ball like those sold in the market, use the sewing method.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making a Stress Balloon
Step 1. Collect three balloons
These balloons must be the same size and shape, and have not been inflated. Do not use water balloons, as they are too thin and weak to stress the ball.
Step 2. Select the fill
For a regular palm-sized stress ball, you'll need about to 1 cup (160–240 mL) of filling. Use fields like the following:
- For tight stress balls, use flour, baking soda, or cornstarch (a white flour derived from corn starch).
- For a looser stress ball, use rice, beans, peas, or sand.
- Mix a little rice with flour for a ball with a texture between tight and loose. These balls will also last longer than just flour.
Step 3. Inflate the balloon a little (optional)
It's not that important, but it's useful if the balloon isn't elastic enough to fit the stuffing. Inflate to 7.5–12.5 cm, then pinch the neck of the balloon without tying it.
- Use clips or tongs to close it.
- The filling process will be messy if air escapes when you fill the balloon.
Step 4. Place the funnel on the neck of the balloon
If you don't have a funnel, put the filling into a plastic bottle with a spoon, and glue the neck of the balloon to the mouth of the bottle. Plastic cups made to resemble funnels can also be used, but tend to be messy.
Step 5. Slowly fill the balloon
For a regular palm-sized balloon, fill the balloon about 5-7.5 cm deep. Pour slowly to avoid clogging the neck of the balloon.
If it gets clogged, use a pencil or spoon handle to clean it
Step 6. Remove excess air and tie tightly
Remove the funnel and let out as much air as possible. Tie the neck of the balloon tightly.
To release the air, pinch it near the neck of the balloon and separate your fingers and thumb slightly. Opening too wide will spill flour everywhere
Step 7. Cut the remaining rubber
Use sharp scissors to cut off the dangling ends of the balloon. Do not scissor too close to the ties, because the ties may come loose.
Method 2 of 2: Sewing the Stress Ball
Step 1. Wrap a small rubber ball with memory foam
You can get rubber balls at children's toy stores, and memory foam at certain fabric stores or online stores. You will need memory foam measuring approximately 9 x 12.5 cm with a thickness of about 2.5–7.5 cm. The thicker the memory foam, the softer the ball and comfortable to squeeze.
Step 2. Sew the foam around the rubber ball
Wrap the rubber ball in memory foam and sew the foam with a needle and thread to completely seal the ball. Cut off any excess memory foam if necessary to make a rough round shape.
Step 3. Sew a sock or thick cloth around the memory foam
An old sock will make a durable cover, but you can also use a piece of heavy cloth. Cut out socks or fabric to give a tight round shape around the memory foam. Your squeeze ball is now finished.
