How to Make a Stress Ball

Is isn't difficult to make a stress ball. Stress balls are great toys to have nearby when something is bugging you. A few quick squeezes and you feel better. It can be fun to watch it squish underneath your fingers, as well as relaxing to feel the interesting texture in your hand. Stress balls can be purchased or you can get creative and make your own. You have several options when making one.

The most popular method to make a stress ball utilizes balloons and cornstarch. First, find a small balloon, but make sure it is not a water balloon as those are made to break easily. Blow up the balloon to make it at least four inches in diameter, but instead of tying the top, stick a funnel in and pinch it shut. Start pouring cornstarch into the balloon, slowly letting out a little air as you do so in order for the cornstarch to fall in and replace the area the air previously took up. Eventually you want the amount of cornstarch to stretch the balloon to about three inches in diameter. Remove the funnel and squeeze out the remaining air, tying off the balloon close to the cornstarch.

Once you are finished, you can be silly with your new stress ball and decorated it with stickers or draw goofy faces on it with permanent markers. Now when you squeeze, the faces will stretch and distort to look even sillier.

Some people use sand instead of cornstarch, and while the results are very similar, sand can be more abrasive and has the potential to eventually open a small hole or tear in your balloon. Flour, tiny beads, uncooked rice, or small beans can also be used depending upon the sort of texture you want your stress ball to have. If you like, you can always make more than one!