Rainy Day Fun: Color Changing Bouncy Ball Recipe & Tutorial
I’m starting a new series here at I Choose Joy! ~ all about ideas for Rainy Day Fun! These are PERFECT for cold and/or wet days when kids are bouncing off the walls because they can’t get outside. Have the supplies ready ahead of time so you can whip out an amazing activity for those days when you need it. The first one is the Color Changing Bouncy Ball Recipe and Tutorial.
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Color Changing Bouncy Ball Ingredients
- ½ cup of warm water
- 1 tablespoon Borax Detergent Booster
- Glitter, if desired
- 2 to 3 tablespoons color changing glue (here’s “yellow to red” and “blue to purple”)
- Food coloring, optional
IMPORTANT: Borax is not edible. This is not intended for children under 3 years old. Adult supervision required. Gloves are recommended for those with sensitive skin. Wash hands after playing. Glitter glue can also be used.
Color Changing Bouncy Ball Directions
Mix together the water and Borax until the Borax is dissolved into the water.
Stir in glitter if desired.
Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons glue, depending on how large you want the ball to be. Continue to stir as a thick slime begins to form. Once the glue has come together, use hands to squeeze and shape the ball.
Remove the ball from the solution and roll it in your hands. Squeeze it together until the stickiness is gone and the ball is shaped. If the ball is still sticky, dip the ball back into the solution and then remove and roll in your hands until smooth.
To activate the color change, place in direct sunlight.
Tips and Ideas for your bouncy balls
If squeezed or thrown too hard, these balls will break but can be rolled and squeezed back together.
To make a ball with more than one color, we tried two ways:
- After adding the glue and before stirring, add a second color with food coloring. This method made a murky colored ball.
- After the thick slime forms, remove the ball from the solution. Start mixing a second ball. When the thick slime forms, add the first ball to the second and press together. Continue with instructions. This yielded the best results!
Have you made a Color Changing Bouncy Ball? I’d love to know your special tips and ideas. What kinds of games did you come up with to play with them? Answer in the comments below!