Have you ever seen an Orbeez ad and wanted to try making your own? Orbeez is a toy made of highly absorbent polymer. At first this toy is in the form of small grains that are smaller than rice. However, once immersed in water, the Orbeez will expand into a ball the size of a pea. You can make an edible version of Orbeez called “water marbles” (because of their soft texture and high absorbency) using natural ingredients at home. This version of Orbeez is suitable for small children.
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Method 1 of 2: Making Orbeez for Sale in Shops
Step 1. Buy Orbeez in the shop
Orbeez is usually sold in large toy stores. You can also buy it over the internet. This toy is available in various colors. While you may want to buy just one pack just to try it out, try mixing different colors.
The colorful Orbeez can be used for team play or art projects
Step 2. Open a pack of Orbeez
Use scissors to open the package, and make sure that none of the granules spill onto the floor.
Orbeez looks like a large, colored salt
Step 3. Pour the Orbeez into a container of one cup of cold water
Orbeez will not change immediately because this toy takes time to grow.
- If the Orbeez isn't completely round, it may not have enough water, or you may need to wait for the toy to absorb more water.
- Use water to make Orbeez grow big. For best results, use distilled water.
Step 4. Wait 4-6 hours for the Orbeez to reach its maximum size
This toy enlarges to 100-300 times its original size. If you wait long enough, the diameter can reach 14 millimeters.
Add water if the contents of the container are empty but the Orbeez has not fully expanded. There are no side effects from giving too much water
Step 5. Drain the water in the container containing the Orbeez
There may be some residual water at the bottom of the container that Orbeez can no longer absorb. Discard the remaining water so it doesn't spill while playing.
Step 6. Play Orbeez
Roll the Orbeez in your fingers. People usually like the smooth sensation. There are many things you can do with your Orbeez, for example:
- Compete your Orbeez outdoors to see whose toy bounces the highest!
- Play mini bocce ball, where you and a friend try to throw the Orbeez as close to the target as possible, like a game of marbles. You can use different colors of Orbeez for different teams, and each team can take turns rolling the ball.
- Play bullseye with friends using two different colored Orbeez. Draw a circle of targets on a piece of paper and try rolling the Orbeez to the center of the target in turn.
- Play Orbeez croquet with friends. You can fold sheets of paper using paper clips to make loops.
- Make a cross for the Orbeez like a golf putt-putt. Challenge friends to get Orbeez across the path with as few collisions as possible.
- Use Orbeez of various colors to play classic games, such as marbles or halma.
Step 7. Store Orbeez in an airtight container
When you are done playing with Orbeez, store it in a covered container. Thus, toys can last up to one week.
- Don't worry if the Orbeez dries up. You just soak it back in the water.
- If your Orbeez smells musty or moldy, you're probably using impure water. Try using purified water, and discard if it still smells of mildew.
Step 8. Throw the Orbeez in the trash or reuse it in the park
If you are confused about what to do with this toy, or it smells like mildew, you should throw the Orbeez away. Orbeez should not be discharged through the drain pipe so do not dispose of in the drainage. Instead, throw it away or spread it over the potting soil so that its water holding capacity increases.
Orbeez was originally made to release water slowly into the soil and water plants gradually. This toy will keep moisture in the soil and help plants grow. If you mix it into the soil, the plant won't need to be watered as often
Method 2 of 2: Making Homemade Orbeez
Step 1. Buy dried basil seeds or dried tapioca pearls
Both can be purchased at supermarkets or wholesalers, but try looking at traditional markets if you can't find them. Both of these materials can be used as a low-cost Orbeez substitute.
- The basil seeds will become small gelatinous water marbles. Basil seeds are hard black at first, and about the size of a grain of rice, but they will expand as they absorb water. Because of its small size, it is usually safe for children to swallow.
- Tapioca pearls are usually small (between 1-8 millimeters in diameter), round, and white in color.
- Homemade water marbles are made from natural ingredients so they can be eaten. Make sure your child washes their hands before playing or eating water marbles so they don't get sick.
Step 2. Soak the basil seeds in water
Place the seeds in a container large enough to hold the seeds when they have sprouted.
- You don't have to worry about the amount of water added. Just make sure you add water at least four times the amount of seeds. The remaining water in the container when the seeds have fully expanded can simply be discarded.
- Drop a few drops of food coloring. You can also use a teaspoon of colored drink or natural food coloring, such as beetroot juice for pink or turmeric for yellow.
- Allow the seeds to soak in water until they are fully grown to your liking. Usually the seeds need several hours to reach their maximum size.
Step 3. Boil the tapioca pearls in water according to the instructions on the package
Boiled tapioca will turn into jelly balls.
- After boiling, allow the tapioca pearls to cool.
- As with basil seeds, you can color tapioca pearls with food, drink, or other natural dyes.
Step 4. Play with water marbles
This toy is great for stimulating your little ones' senses. Just put the water marbles in the container and let the child play with his fingers.
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Some of the games for Orbeez sold in stores may not be playable using homemade water marbles. Starch can dry out and leave a glue-like residue, so it's best to play with your home-made water marbles with care. Try:
- Use water-painted marbles to create works of art.
- Wash hands before playing and after using water marbles to make bubble tea.
- Play with different colored water marbles for each team.
- Play water marbles bingo by using marbles as chips to cover the resulting squares.
Step 5. Store the water marbles in the refrigerator
Like most foods, these marbles will stale or germinate if not covered or stored too long.
Step 6. Dry the water marbles after use
Water marbles that are dried before they go stale can be reused at a later date.
Spread on a tray and leave at room temperature to dry. You can hang it outside to dry in the sun
Tips
- Some people say that you can make your own water marbles using ingredients in your kitchen. While this can be an interesting experiment with children, the success rate is quite low.
- Sprinkle a little water into the Orbeez soaking water. The salt will make it last longer, but the end result will be smaller than normal.
- Do not feed Orbeez to small children or pets as it can make them sick. Children playing Orbeez must be closely supervised by adults.
Warning
- Orbeez can bounce so you need to be careful not to fall or spill from the case.
- Orbeez should not be eaten. This toy is non-toxic, but that doesn't mean it's safe to eat. See a doctor if you eat a lot of Orbeez.
