53+ Simple and Exciting DIY Bouncy Balls

DIY bouncy balls are fun and easy-to-make toys that can be created using simple materials at home. By mixing ingredients like glue, borax, and cornstarch, you can craft a colorful, squishy ball that bounces high. This DIY project is a great activity for kids and adults alike, as it involves hands-on creativity and science. Plus, it’s an exciting way to learn about chemical reactions and polymer science while making something that’s both entertaining and practical.

Simple Rubber Bouncy Ball

A classic DIY bouncy ball that you can make with just a few materials you already have at home. It’s fun, squishy, and bouncy.

Materials:

• White glue
• Borax powder
• Cornstarch
• Food coloring (optional)
• Warm water

Steps:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of white glue with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a small bowl.
2. Add a drop of food coloring if you want to add some color.
3. In another bowl, mix 1/2 teaspoon of borax with 2 tablespoons of warm water until the borax dissolves.
4. Slowly pour the borax solution into the glue mixture while stirring.
5. The mixture will start to form a gel. Continue stirring until it becomes a bouncy consistency.
6. Take the mixture out and roll it into a ball.
7. Let it dry for a few hours before playing with it.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Bouncy Ball

This is a fun way to make a bouncy ball using the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar, perfect for a learning activity.

Materials:

• Baking soda
• Cornstarch
• Vinegar
• Food coloring (optional)

Steps:

1. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired.
3. Slowly add vinegar, one teaspoon at a time, until the mixture starts to fizz and become thick.
4. Continue adding vinegar until the mixture is moldable.
5. Roll the mixture into a ball and let it dry for a day.
6. Once dry, it will be a fun, bouncy ball!

Gelatin Bouncy Ball

A jiggly and rubbery ball that uses gelatin to get its bouncy texture. It’s simple and fun to make.

Materials:

• Unflavored gelatin
• Cornstarch
• Glycerin
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Dissolve 2 packets of unflavored gelatin in 1/2 cup of hot water.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and stir until dissolved.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of glycerin and a few drops of food coloring.
4. Stir until the mixture thickens.
5. Pour the mixture into a mold and let it cool for a few hours.
6. Once set, take the gelatin ball out and start bouncing!

Water Balloon Bouncy Ball

A unique way to make a bouncy ball using a water balloon. It’s a bit squishy and very fun!

Materials:

• Small water balloon
• Rice or flour

Steps:

1. Fill a small water balloon with rice or flour until it’s as full as you’d like it to be.
2. Tie the balloon securely.
3. Gently squeeze the balloon to make sure it has a firm yet bouncy feel.
4. You now have a water balloon bouncy ball that’s ready to play with!

Cornstarch Bouncy Ball

Simple and effective, this bouncy ball is made from cornstarch and has a nice texture when bounced.

Materials:

• Cornstarch
• Water
• A spoon
• Food coloring (optional)

Steps:

1. Mix 1/2 cup of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water in a bowl.
2. Stir the mixture well until it forms a thick paste.
3. Add food coloring if you want to make it colorful.
4. Scoop the mixture and roll it into a ball shape.
5. Let it sit for a few hours to dry out, then it’s ready for bouncy fun!

Silly Putty Bouncy Ball

Silly putty can be molded into a ball that bounces, and it’s a fun, stretchy material for kids to play with.

Materials:

• Cornstarch
• White glue
• Liquid starch
• Food coloring

Steps:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of white glue with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
2. Slowly add 1 tablespoon of liquid starch, stirring continuously.
3. Add food coloring if you want to make your silly putty colorful.
4. Once the mixture thickens, remove it and knead it until it becomes stretchy.
5. Roll it into a ball and test its bounciness!

Sugar and Cornstarch Bouncy Ball

This simple bouncy ball is made using a combination of sugar and cornstarch, creating a soft yet bouncy texture.

Materials:

• Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Water

Steps:

1. Mix 1/2 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of cornstarch in a bowl.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of water to create a thick paste.
3. Knead the mixture until it holds its shape.
4. Roll it into a ball and let it dry for several hours.
5. Once dry, you’ll have a fun and squishy bouncy ball!

Hot Glue Bouncy Ball

Using hot glue to create a bouncy ball is a fun craft project, especially for older kids who can handle hot glue.

Materials:

• Hot glue gun
• Wax paper
• Food coloring (optional)

Steps:

1. Heat up the hot glue gun and squeeze out small blobs of glue onto wax paper.
2. Quickly shape the glue into a ball with your fingers.
3. You can add a drop of food coloring to the glue before shaping it.
4. Once it cools and hardens, it will bounce like a charm!

Play-Doh Bouncy Ball

While Play-Doh is soft and moldable, it can also make a fun, bouncy ball with just the right technique.

Materials:

• Play-Doh (store-bought or homemade)
• Small plastic ball (optional)

Steps:

1. Roll the Play-Doh into a ball shape.
2. If you’d like, you can wrap a small plastic ball with Play-Doh to create a layered effect.
3. Make sure the ball is tightly packed for maximum bounce.
4. Test out its bounce and shape!

Soap and Glycerin Bouncy Ball

Combining soap and glycerin creates a pliable, bouncy texture, perfect for a fun DIY ball.

Materials:

• Liquid soap
• Glycerin
• Cornstarch

Steps:

1. Mix 1/4 cup of liquid soap with 1/4 cup of glycerin.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the mixture and stir until thickened.
3. Roll the mixture into a ball and let it harden.
4. Once dry, test out the bouncy properties!

PVA Glue Bouncy Ball

Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue is often used for crafting, and it can also be transformed into a bouncy ball.

Materials:

• PVA glue
• Borax powder
• Warm water

Steps:

1. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of PVA glue with 2 tablespoons of warm water.
2. In another bowl, mix 1/2 teaspoon of borax with 1 tablespoon of warm water.
3. Gradually pour the borax solution into the PVA glue mixture.
4. Stir until a solid mass forms.
5. Shape the mixture into a ball and let it dry for a day.

Tacky Glue Bouncy Ball

Tacky glue is another type of glue that can be transformed into a fun, bouncy ball with the right materials.

Materials:

• Tacky glue
• Borax
• Warm water

Steps:

1. Mix 1/4 cup of tacky glue with 1 tablespoon of warm water.
2. In another bowl, mix 1/2 teaspoon of borax with 2 tablespoons of warm water.
3. Slowly pour the borax solution into the glue mixture while stirring.
4. Once the mixture thickens, remove it from the bowl and knead it into a ball.
5. Let it dry and enjoy!

Potato Starch Bouncy Ball

Potato starch is a lesser-known material for making a bouncy ball. It’s fun to experiment with!

Materials:

• Potato starch
• Water
• Cornstarch

Steps:

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of potato starch with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of water and stir until smooth.
3. Shape the mixture into a ball.
4. Let the ball dry and test its bounciness.

Clay Bouncy Ball

Modeling clay can be used to create a bouncy ball, especially if it’s mixed with a few other materials to enhance the texture.

Materials:

• Modeling clay
• Cornstarch

Steps:

1. Mix 1/4 cup of modeling clay with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
2. Roll the mixture into a ball shape.
3. Let it sit for a few hours to harden, then bounce it!

Balloon Dough Bouncy Ball

Balloon dough creates a super-soft and stretchy texture for making a fun bouncy ball.

Materials:

• Flour
• Salt
• Water
• Balloon

Steps:

1. Mix 2 cups of flour with 1/2 cup of salt.
2. Gradually add water until you get a doughy consistency.
3. Inflate a balloon and tie it off.
4. Carefully roll the dough around the balloon and shape it into a ball.
5. Allow it to dry and enjoy the squishy bounce!

Rubber Band Bouncy Ball

This simple DIY bouncy ball uses rubber bands to create layers, which makes it bounce when compressed.

Materials:

• Rubber bands

Steps:

1. Start by wrapping rubber bands around each other in a tight ball shape.
2. Continue layering the bands until you have a solid ball.
3. Test out its bounce!

Foam Ball

A foam ball is light and bouncy. Using foam sheets, you can create a customizable ball that bounces well.

Materials:

• Foam sheets
• Glue gun
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut foam sheets into small strips.
2. Glue them into a ball shape, layering each strip.
3. Once the ball is formed, let the glue dry.
4. Enjoy a fun foam bouncy ball!

Paper Mâché Bouncy Ball

Using paper mâché to create a bouncy ball provides a hard shell and a fun texture.

Materials:

• Newspaper
• Flour
• Water
• Balloon

Steps:

1. Tear newspaper into strips.
2. Mix flour and water to make a paste.
3. Inflate a balloon and dip newspaper strips into the paste.
4. Layer the strips over the balloon and let it dry.
5. Once dry, pop the balloon and you have a bouncy paper mâché ball!

Soft Foam Ball

Soft foam balls are fun and light, with great bounce and squish. They’re simple to make using foam materials.

Materials:

• Soft foam
• Scissors
• Tape

Steps:

1. Cut the foam into small squares.
2. Tape them together to form a ball shape.
3. Bounce and enjoy!

String and Glue Bouncy Ball

By wrapping string around glue, you can create a fun, bouncy ball that’s soft and unique.

Materials:

• String
• White glue

Steps:

1. Dip the string in glue and wrap it around a ball.
2. Keep wrapping until the ball is covered.
3. Allow it to dry and enjoy a bouncy experience!

Sponge Bouncy Ball

A simple, squishy sponge ball that you can easily make at home with basic materials.

Materials:

• Sponge
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut a small piece of sponge into a ball shape.
2. Compress the sponge and test its bounce.
3. Enjoy the soft and squishy bouncy ball!

Marshmallow Bouncy Ball

This unusual bouncy ball uses marshmallows for a fun texture!

Materials:

• Marshmallows
• Toothpicks

Steps:

1. Stick a toothpick into the marshmallows to form a ball shape.
2. Secure the marshmallows tightly and try to bounce!

Liquid Latex Bouncy Ball

Liquid latex can be used to create a bouncy texture that’s both squishy and elastic.

Materials:

• Liquid latex
• Cornstarch
• Baking soda

Steps:

1. Mix liquid latex with cornstarch and baking soda.
2. Mold the mixture into a ball.
3. Let it dry and test its bounce.

Plastic Bag Bouncy Ball

A creative way to use old plastic bags to make a bouncy ball by crumpling them together tightly.

Materials:

• Plastic bag
• Tape

Steps:

1. Crumple a plastic bag into a ball shape.
2. Secure it with tape and give it a bounce!

Rice Flour Bouncy Ball

Rice flour can be used to create a bouncy texture with the right consistency.

Materials:

• Rice flour
• Cornstarch
• Water

Steps:

1. Mix rice flour and cornstarch with a bit of water.
2. Shape the mixture into a ball.
3. Let it dry before bouncing!

Jelly Cube Bouncy Ball

Using jelly cubes, you can make a fun, gelatinous bouncy ball.

Materials:

• Jelly cubes
• Cornstarch

Steps:

1. Make jelly cubes according to package instructions.
2. Shape them into a ball and add a little cornstarch for firmness.
3. Let it set before testing out the bounce!

 Cotton Ball Bouncy Ball

A cotton ball can be the starting point for a soft and bouncy ball with a fun squish factor.

Materials:

• Cotton ball
• Glue

Steps:

1. Cover the cotton ball with glue.
2. Allow it to dry and try bouncing it.

Rubber Glove Bouncy Ball

Using a rubber glove, you can make a bouncy ball that’s both soft and fun to squish!

Materials:

• Rubber glove
• Rice or beans

Steps:

1. Fill a rubber glove with rice or beans.
2. Tie it off and squeeze it into a bouncy shape.

Shaving Cream Bouncy Ball

Shaving cream can make a fluffy, bouncy ball when mixed with cornstarch.

Materials:

• Shaving cream
• Cornstarch

Steps:

1. Mix shaving cream and cornstarch.
2. Shape it into a ball and bounce!

Rubber Cement Bouncy Ball

Rubber cement gives a solid, bouncy texture perfect for creating a homemade ball.

Materials:

• Rubber cement
• Paper

Steps:

1. Soak paper in rubber cement.
2. Shape into a ball and let it dry before bouncing!