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How to Make Interesting Gadgets to Play With

You can make interesting gadgets to play with at home using household items you have on hand, or with a few inexpensive purchases. Both adults and children can have fun while learning new things about science, art, math and other subjects. Two things you can try are a homemade rubber ball and a homemade cardboard tumbler.

Things You'll Need

  • Borax
  • Cornstarch
  • Food coloring
  • White glue
  • Warm water
  • Bowl
  • Tablespoons
  • Cardboard tube from toilet paper or paper towel
  • Index cards or cardboard sheet
  • Masking tape
  • Scissors
  • Rock or large screw
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Instructions

  1. Homemade Rubber Ball

    • 1

      Place one tablespoon of borax into a bowl, and add a drop of food coloring. Add two tablespoons of warm water.

    • 2

      Add one tablespoon of white glue. Let it drip continuously into the mixture, stirring gently. Finally, sprinkle one tablespoon cornstarch into the concoction, but do not mix it. Allow the material to sit for 15-20 seconds.

    • 3

      Take the material out, and knead it to remove the air bubbles. Shape it into a ball, and then bounce it.

    Homemade Cardboard Tumbler

    • 4

      Create a lid for both ends of a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Do this by tracing one of its ends on index cards or a sheet of cardboard. Cut the circles out with a pair of scissors.

    • 5

      Tape one of the cardboard lids to one end of the tube. Hold the device so that it is vertical.

    • 6

      Insert a rock or large screw into the tube. Tape the other lid to the top.

    • 7

      Place the tumbler on the top of a flight of stairs. Tip it over, but do not push it. The device will begin tumbling down the steps.

    • 8

      Experiment by using larger and smaller weights inside the tube. Keep track of which objects cause the device to tumble longer or faster.


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