How to Make a Homemade Bouncy Ball

You could spend many quarters trying to find the right bouncy ball in a vending machine, or you could make one at home out of common household goods. Get the kids involved in this simple chemistry project, and make a variety of colors and sizes. Mixed colored batters together to make a swirled ball. You could also see what happens if you make a bouncy cube, a bouncy pyramid, or a bouncy cylinder.

Things You'll Need

• 1 tablespoon white (Elmer's) glue 1/2 teaspon borax 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 tablespoons warm water 2 disposable plastic cups 2 used popsicle sticks Food coloring Rubber gloves

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Use one popsicle stick to mix the glue with food coloring in one of the cups.

   • 2

     Use the other popsicle stick to mix the water with the borax in the other cup. Stir until the borax has dissolved.

   • 3

     Add 1/2 teaspoon of the borax water to the glue mixture. Add cornstarch. Wait 15 seconds.

   • 4

     Stir the mixture together until it stiffens. Put on the rubber gloves, and mold the ball until it becomes solid.