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How to Make a Colorful Bounce Ball

Bouncy balls have been a popular favorite of children for decades. Often distributed through vending machines geared toward children or a common party favor, these balls provide hours of fun. You can make your own homemade bouncy balls with a combination of items found around the house. This quick and easy technique makes a fun science project for older kids, too. Substitute an alcohol-based polymer to make a transparent ball instead of an opaque one.

Things You'll Need

1 tbsp. school glue
2 cups
Food coloring
4 tbsp. warm water
1 tsp. borax
Plastic spoon
2 tbsp. cornstarch
Airtight container

Instructions

- 1
  Squeeze 1 tbsp. of glue into one of the cups. Glue contains polyvinyl acetate, which binds to itself to create a polymer when combined with an agent like borax. Stir in a few drops of food coloring to make the glue the color you want your ball to be.
- 2
  Combine the warm water and borax in the other cup. Stir until all of the borax is dissolved. Borax helps to bind the particles to each other.
- 3
  Add the cornstarch and 1 tsp. of the borax mixture to the glue and let stand for 15 seconds. Cornstarch thickens the mixture and allows it to form a ball rather than remaining gooey. Stir the mixture together until it thickens and you can't stir anymore.
- 4
  Mold the mixture into a ball, rolling it between your hands. This step will be particularly messy, so be sure to have warm water on hand to wash your hands afterward. Your ball will have a slightly elastic texture to it but should bounce high. Store your ball in an airtight container to keep it from drying out.

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