It's easy to build an anti-stress ball - all you need is simple materials. All you need is balloons and a suitable material to fill them with. If you want your stress ball to look more like a commercial product, follow the needle and thread method.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Building an Anti-Stress Balloon
Step 1. Get three balloons
They should all be the same size, shape and deflated. Do not use balloons that usually fill with water, as they are too thin and not strong enough for your purpose.
Step 2. Choose the material to fill them with
For a standard stress ball that you can hold in your hand, roughly a full cup of material (160-240ml) is sufficient. Any of the following materials are fine:
- To get a solid stress ball, use flour, baking soda, or cornstarch;
- To get a softer anti-stress ball, use dried lentils, small beans, shelled peas or some fine play sand available in hardware stores;
- To get a middle ground, mix a small amount of rice with some flour. In this way, you will have a mixture that can last longer than the flour used alone.
Step 3. Inflate the balloon slightly (optional)
It is not always necessary, but it can be useful if the balloon is not elastic enough to fit the material it is filled with. Inflate it to about 7.5-12.5cm in length, then hold it closed by tightening it at the neck but not tying it.
- It's easier if you have a clothespin or get a second person to help you keep it closed.
- If the air escapes while you are filling it, the operation could be more messy.
Step 4. Insert a funnel into the balloon neck
If you do not have a funnel, pour the material into a plastic bottle with a spoon and fit the opening of the balloon on the neck of the bottle. A squashed plastic cup shaped like a spout will do, too, but with this method you risk making a mess.
Step 5. Fill the balloon slowly
For a standard ball to hold in your hand, you will need to fill the balloon about 5-7.5cm. Pour the contents slowly to avoid clogging the balloon neck.
If it gets clogged, move it with a pencil or spoon to clear the opening
Step 6. Squeeze it to release excess air and close it
Remove the funnel from the balloon and let out as much air as possible. Tie a tight knot around the neck of the balloon.
To let the air out, squeeze the neck of the balloon between thumb and forefinger, then release it slightly. An opening that is too wide could spread flour all over the place
Step 7. Trim away the excess gum
Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut off the dangling end of the balloon. Don't cut too close to the knot or you'll risk it coming loose.
Step 8. Wrap two more balloons around this one
Wrap the second balloon around your stress ball to make it more resistant. Tie a nice knot, cut the excess rubber, then repeat the operation with a third balloon to complete the work.
Method 2 of 2: Sew a Stress Ball
Step 1. Wrap a rubber ball in the memory foam
You can find rubber balls at children's play stores and memory foam at fabric retailers or specialty online stores. The piece of memory foam should be approximately 9.5 x 12.5 cm and 2.5 to 7.5 cm thick across the entire surface. If you use a thicker piece of memory foam, you will get a more malleable stress ball.
Step 2. Sew the memory foam around the rubber ball
Wrap the memory foam around the rubber ball and sew it with needle and thread so that the ball is completely enclosed. If necessary, trim away the excess memory foam to get a rough spherical shape.
Step 3. Sew a sock or thick fabric around the memory foam
An old sock will provide durable coverage, but you can use a sturdy piece of fabric instead. Cut out the sock or fabric so that you get a tight ball around the memory foam. Your stress ball is ready.
