A stress ball can immensely help your daily stress. It can largely help to replace the nervousness, fidgeting and chewing of pens or nails in individuals. This article will tell you how to make different kinds of squishy toys with the ingredients that are easily available at home.
It doesn’t matter if you are a kid or an adult. It is equally fun for both. We know it sounds weird as to why a child will have a stress ball, right? But these balls are so much more than just for stress. They give you considerable satisfaction. Children can play with squishy toys, and the stress ball will be useful for adults in their anxious habits.
Many stress balls are available in the market and even in toy shops. But why buy something that is going to be crazy expensive when you can make it at home with ingredients that are already available at your home? There are many ways to create your stress ball or a squishy toy. The most common ones can be seen made with cornstarch, flour, and plastic bags.
Table of Contents
What is a stress ball?
It is a hand exercise toy, usually the size of seven centimeters. It can be proved useful for children and adults. Imagine a person going through a stressful time and needing to channel their nervous energy elsewhere. In this situation, a stress ball can help the person release stress. It can be made with ingredients such as flour, cornstarch or slime.
How to make a squishy stress toy?
Making a squishy stress toy has never been easier. It can be made at your home with all the ingredients already available at your home. Every household has some flour, cornstarch, rice and no, we are not making Chinese cuisine here.
You won’t believe that making squishy stress balls has become so easy and such an interactive activity to do with your kids. There are many ways of making stress balls at home, these ways include;
- How to make a stress ball with flour?
- How to make a stress ball with cornstarch?
- How to make a stress ball with a plastic bag?
- How to make a stress ball with slime?
Different types of stress balls
There are alot of different types of stress balls. All of these balls are different from each other, some maybe different in shapes or color and even material. But we guarantee that all of them will be fun. These are some types of stress balls and their respective uses;
- Koosh ball
- Water and gel ball
- Chinese yin yang ball
- Splat ball
- Talking stress ball
- Squeeze balls
- Foam balls
- Porcupine ball
- Therapy balls
The following are some of the different types of stress balls:
● Koosh ball
Koosh ball is a stress reliever made of a steel core with rubber filaments all around it. It is easier to catch for children. It was designed by Scott Stillinger for his children to teach them how to catch. This ball stands out for its signature ‘koosh’ sound when it is thrown.
● Water and gel ball
These water and gel based balls are great from breaking the boring routine of your daily office work and help relax your muscles. Along with the fingers, it can also be a treat for the sore eyes. The balls come in many different colors and textures.
● Chinese Yin yang ball
These balls are favorable in meditation and relaxation. They assist in improving blood circulation and memory. They help widely in muscle strengthening and recovery after surgery.
● Splat Ball
Splat balls are obviously great for stress. However they can also be used by children to play catch. It is also a fun addition to water play games.
● Talking stress balls
What can be better than a normal stress ball? A talking stress ball. These talking stress balls are great for relieving your stress and getting motivated for your day as well. It has pre recorded messages that play when it is squeezed. These messages fill you up with just the right amount of inspiration for the rest of your day.
● Squeeze ball
Squeeze balls are great for your daily life activities. If you work in an office job and are typing everyday all day, your fingers need and deserve some well earned rest. Your squeeze balls will help in this as it will contract and relax your muscles.
● Foam balls
Keep your squeezy foam balls with you at all times and give it squeezes in your break time or your tea time at the office. You can share it with your coworkers and share a fun and relaxing time with them.
● Porcupine balls
You can relieve your stress through porcupine balls anywhere and anytime. You can keep the mini versions of porcupine balls and use them to relieve your stress and enjoy a relaxing say.
● Therapy balls
These balls are used for coordination training and strengthening by therapists. They are good for your mental health and also help strengthen your muscles.
How to make a stress ball with flour?
One of the easiest ways of making a stress ball is to make it with flour.
Material
- Balloons
- Flour
- Funnel
Step-by-step process
- Firstly, you will take a balloon and fill it with air till it deflates and expands in diameter.
- Pinch the balloon close.
- Take your funnel and place it at the opening of your balloon.
- Pour the flour into the already-deflated balloon.
- Make sure to fill it with flour, and don’t let the air be left.
- Tie the balloon up.
- Decorate your stress ball however you like.
- Your stress ball full of flour is ready.
How to make a stress ball with cornstarch?
Material
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Balloon
- Funnel
Step-by-step process
- Fill the balloon with water.
- Hold the balloon open and put a funnel on the opening of the balloon.
- Add cornstarch.
- Add more water if needed.
- Tie up the balloon.
How to make a stress ball with a plastic bag?
Material
- Plastic Bag
- Rice
- 2 Balloons
- Scissors
- Glue
Step-by-step process
- Cut the opening area of both balloons.
- Take some rice and put it in your plastic bag.
- Take the plastic bag and place it inside your first balloon.
- Tie up the first balloon.
- Take the first balloon and place it inside the second balloon.
- Close it up using glue.
How to make a stress ball with slime?
Slime has been a children’s favorite for some years now. Combine slime with stress balls, and you get an amazing combo loved by all. You can make the slime from scratch or get it made, put it into a balloon, and make a stress ball.
Making slime from scratch
Making slime from scratch is a fun activity with your children. The recipe calls for only three ingredients and is very easy to make. It can give the children a great way to express their creativity when decorating the slime.
Material
- Water
- Glue
- Borax
Step-by-step process
- Mix water and glue in a bowl to make a glue mixture.
- Take a separate bowl and put warm water with borax in it.
- Mix the glue mixture into the borax solution.
- Knead the two mixtures together to create your slime.
Making stress ball with slime
Believe it or not, children also need to relieve stress or let go of that extra sugar rush they just got from the loads of ice cream they ate. Playing with a gooey slime is the perfect way to do that.
The repeated pulling and squeezing of slime gives a calming effect to children. Combining it with a stress ball is extra relaxing and fun for the little ones.
Making a stress ball from slime can be fun and a chance to be innovative. Here is a step-by-step process of making a stress ball with either homemade or store-bought slime.
Material
- Balloon
- Funnel
- Slime
Step-by-step process
- Open the balloon and put a funnel into the opening part.
- Put your homemade or store-bought slime in the balloon through the funnel.
- Release any air left in the balloon.
- Tie up the balloon.
How to make a stress ball without flour or cornstarch?
You’ve likely seen children playing with squishy toys or stress balls and noticed how much they enjoy them. Parents take pleasure in their children’s happiness, as they should. However, sometimes these toys contain harmful toxins.
Studies have shown that the liquid inside squishy balls can be toxic, containing substances like Toluene or Styrene. Older children may understand that if a squishy toy bursts, it should be discarded or reported to an adult. However, for toddlers or preschoolers, these toys are especially dangerous because they are unaware of the harmful contents.
It’s always safer to make your own squishy toys or stress balls at home. This not only saves money but also ensures your children’s safety. While flour and cornstarch are safe for older children, toddlers can accidentally inhale these substances, which can also be harmful. But don’t worry, we have a simple solution for you.
There are ways to create your stress ball without flour and cornstarch as well. Because you may find a lot of stress balls with these key ingredients but let’s change that;
- How to make a stress ball with water beads?
- How to make a stress ball with playdough?
How to make a stress ball with water beads?
The following are the materials required and the procedure to follow for making a stress ball with water beads.
Material
- Water beads
- Balloon
- Water
- funnel
Step-by-step process
- Put some water beads in a bowl filled with water.
- Wait for a few hours.
- Drain any excess water from the water beads bowl.
- Take a balloon and put a funnel in the opening.
- Pour the water beads in the balloon through a funnel.
- Release any excess air in the balloon.
- Tie up the balloon.
How to make a stress ball with playdough?
This is a mess-free, innovative and easiest way of making your favorite stress reliever. The recipe consists of only two ingredients.
Material
- Playdough
- Balloon
Step-by-step process
- Roll out your playdough into a long thin line.
- Open up the balloon.
- Stuff the playdough inside the balloon.
- Release any excess air.
- Tie up the balloon.
How to make a squishy toy with paper?
Material
- Two Pieces of Paper
- Packing tape
- Cotton
- Plastic bag
- Coloring pencils
Step-by-step process
- Take the first piece of paper and draw your shape on it for the squishy.
- Color the shape according to your liking
- On your second paper make the back of your squishy and color it as well
- Put the two papers front and back to each other
- Put tape on the front and back side
- Put tape on the sides of papers leaving the bottom part open, making a paper bag
- Take a plastic bag and cut it in the size of your paper along with some extra
- Tape the plastic bag in the shape of a mini plastic bag
- Stuff the mini plastic bag inside your paper bag
- Stuff cotton inside your mini plastic bag
- Tape the paper bag from the bottom to close it tightly
- Your paper squishy is ready
Benefits
There are a lot of benefits to stress balls. Now famously available as squishy toys for children to play with, these toys were intended for stress remedies and to release tension. Some of the remedies included are;
- Lowering blood pressure
- Relieving arthritis pain
- Strengthens muscles
- Improves sleep
- It may improve blood circulation
DIY art for stress balls
Art is what makes the stress balls extra fun. Children can make their stress balls interactive by decorating them. The most common kind is with Sharpies. You can help your children make emoji faces on their squishy toys.
Another way is to put on a net on top of the balloon and tie it up. This design will give your stress ball a fun shape when played with.
DIY stress relief toys
Sure, squishy stress balls are the number one stress relieving toy but there are a lot more toys that you can make at home alone or with your children.
- DIY Fidget spinner
- Bead snakes
- Zipper bracelet
- Fidget pencil toppers
Conclusion
The article gives you a complete detailed instruction of making squishy stress balls at home as well as many ways to make your own stress relieving toys. All the ingredients are readily available at your home. Making these stress balls at home saves you a lot of money and let’s face it, it is a lot of fun.
Frequently asked questions
1. What can I do to stop the flour-filled stress ball from bursting?
Before tying up your balloon, make sure there is no air left in it or it will burst. When the air is completely out, only then tie the balloon.
2. How do I stop my stress ball from being sticky?
Spread some talcum powder or cornstarch on your fingers and rub your stress ball with them. It will help get rid of the stickiness.
3. What gives stress balls the effect of many little balls when squished?
If you put a hair net on top of your stress ball, it will give it a really cool effect of many little balls upon squishing it.
4. What ingredients will make my stress ball squishier?
Kinetic sand and slime will definitely help make your stress balls squishier.
5. How to make a squishy toy with glue?
All you have to do is take 1 cup glue,1 tablespoon baking soda, and 1 or 2 tablespoons of contact solution depending on your desired consistency. These Ingredients will make a slime. You will put this slime in a balloon and tie it up.
