Stress relief balls are balls that can be kneaded and can help calm nerves, anger, and anxiety for both adults and children. You can keep stress relief balls at home, school, work, or take them everywhere to use when you want to relieve stress. Choose a filling material, fill balloons, then decorate to make a unique version of this easy-to-make homemade craft.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Selecting the Stuffing
Step 1. Use flour to make a soft and fluffy ball
Pour the all-purpose flour used for baking cakes into the balloon. With this material, the ball will be soft, easy to squeeze, and will retain its shape.
- You can also use other common flour ingredients you have, such as cornstarch or baking soda. Or just use sand if you have one, for a coarser texture.
- Note that this type of stuffing can be messy if it spills over, but it's inexpensive and has a great texture to make a stress-relieving ball.
Step 2. Use dry beans or whole grains for a coarser ball texture
Try dried green beans, lentils, rice, or whole grains to fill a stress-relief balloon. These materials will result in a ball that is sturdier and more textured, like a bean bag.
- This type of filling won't produce a soft texture, but it will be easier to put in the balloon and won't be as messy if it spills.
- Grains or other dry matter may have sharp or sharp shards that could poke holes in the stress relief balloon. To prevent this, use several layers of balloons to make the ball surface thicker, or choose a softer filling.
- You can also mix dry nuts with flour to make a filling that is both firm and soft. Mix half the nuts and half the flour, or any combination to get the texture you like.
Step 3. Try clay or playdough
Use a clay product or playdough to fill the balloons. This material will make the stress relief ball very soft, but retain its shape.
- You need to know, clay or playdough will dry out over time if left exposed to air. Even if you put it in a tied balloon, it's likely that the balloon won't be completely airtight and the stress-relief ball may harden after a few days or weeks.
- Solid materials such as clay or playdough are more difficult to fit into the balloon. Use a funnel as for any other filling, then roll the clay or playdough into a long snake to make it easier to insert it into the balloon.
Part 2 of 3: Filling the Balloons
Step 1. Observe safe precautions when filling balloons
Be careful when pouring or cutting things when filling party balloons. Adults should supervise or do any part of this process that is harmful to children.
- Use scissors carefully when cutting balloons. To avoid getting messy when filling balloons, place a sheet of newspaper or other covering over your workspace.
- Be careful if you have an allergy to latex. In this case, choose a balloon made of mylar (polyester film) or other material, instead of regular latex.
- Adults should hold balloons for toddlers and children as balloons and their pieces can choke a child if swallowed.
Step 2. Stretch a regular party balloon
Use your hands to gently stretch the latex balloon in all directions. This step is done so that the balloon material becomes more flexible to be filled.
- You can also blow up the balloon a bit to stretch it.
- Don't forget to stretch the neck of the balloon as well because this is important to make it easier for the ingredients to enter the balloon during the filling process.
Step 3. Insert the funnel into the neck of the balloon
Insert the funnel into the neck of the balloon for easy filling. You can roll the neck of the balloon at the end of the funnel so it doesn't sag down.
- If you don't have a metal or plastic funnel, just roll a piece of paper into a cone. Make sure the tip is small enough to fit into the neck of the balloon, but wide enough to allow the filling to slide easily into it. Tape the paper funnel with masking tape so that it doesn't roll open when you load it.
- You can also make your own funnel by cutting off the top half of a bottle of mineral water, then inserting the mouth of the bottle into the neck of the balloon.
Step 4. Pour the filling
Use about cup of the filling of your choice and pour it into the balloon. Hold the funnel steady and pour it carefully so it doesn't spill.
- If the filling gets stuck in the funnel when pouring, shake the balloon to make the filling come down or push the filling in with a pencil.
- Fill in the rounded part of the balloon and don't let it go over the neck of the bottom of the balloon. A more dense balloon will produce a sturdier ball, while a less filled balloon will produce a softer, softer ball.
- Tie the balloon tightly by making a knot around the neck. You can tie it twice to make it stronger and more secure.
Part 3 of 3: Adding the Finishing Touches
Step 1. Cut the remaining balloons
Carefully cut the remaining balloon neck above the tie. So, if you want to add a second layer of balloons, the surface of the ball will still be smooth.
- Be careful when cutting the rest of the balloon, so you don't cut the ties or other parts of the balloon.
- For a perfectly round and soft ball, hold the balloon very carefully and cut the neck of the balloon all the way through, so there are no knots. Then, immediately seal the hole with another balloon.
Step 2. Wrap the second balloon
Cut the neck of the balloon, then stretch the opening wide and wrap it around the first balloon. The second balloon will make the ball stronger and reduce the risk of tearing or spilling.
- If you're having trouble wrapping the second balloon, simply cut off the top of the balloon again to make the hole bigger. You need to be aware, the hole will be clearly visible if the color of the balloon used is different.
- Wrap the balloon starting at the knot on the first balloon to cover it and make the surface of the ball more even.
- You can add as many additional layers of balloons as you want to make it more secure. But be aware, the more layers of the balloon, the more sturdy the ball will be and not too soft.
Step 3. Decorate the outside of the balloon if you like
Decorate stress relief balls with pictures, words, or other decorations that will make you happy and reduce stress. You can use a pen, marker, or anything else that can stick to the surface of the balloon.
- Cut certain shapes on the balloon that will be attached to the outer layer before wrapping it into the ball. If you use balloons of different colors, this pattern will create an interesting contrasting pattern.
- Draw a smiling face emoticon or inspirational words on a stress relief ball that will relax you or reduce stress.
