Today’s STEAM Activity for slime week is homemade bouncy balls! I hope you and your kids enjoy this activity as much as we did!
These bouncy balls were simple to make at home, and my kids were excited to make their own bouncy balls! We tested 2 different recipes and both worked great.
Recipe 1
MATERIALS:
- 1/2 Cup very warm water
- 1 Tablespoon Borax*
- Mixing bowls
- 2 Tablespoons glue
*Note on Borax: If it is handled properly and used according to the directions in the amounts and procedures specified, it is not dangerous in solution. To be safe, have an adult handle the Borax and wash hands thoroughly afterwards or wear rubber gloves.
PROCEDURE:
- Pour 1/2 cup very warm or hot water into a mixing bowl
2. Adult: Slowly add 1 Tablespoon Borax while constantly stirring.
3. Stir until Borax is COMPLETELY dissolved, add more water if it doesn’t dissolve.
4. Drop 1 or 2 Tablespoons of glue directly into the borax solution (we used glow in the dark glitter glue, but whatever you have on hand works. You can add food coloring if you have white glue)
5. Move the glue around in the solution, it will begin to harden in about 10 seconds
6. Remove the glue from the solution and squish it and roll it into a ball
7. Let dry for a few minutes, then it’s ready to bounce!
Recipe 2
MATERIALS:
- All the materials from Recipe 1
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
PROCEDURE:
- Prepare Borax solution as in Recipe 1
2. In a separate mixing bowl mix 2 tablespoons glue with 2 teaspoons corn starch
3. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the Borax solution into the glue mixture and continue stirring until it begins to harden
4. Pick up the glue mixture and roll it to form a ball
5. Bounce your ball!
STEAM CONCEPTS LEARNED:
Science: Slime making is a great introduction to polymers for kids. The bouncy balls are basically a thick slime. The borax makes the glue stronger and more elastic. This is also great practice for mixing solutions – it’s something your kids will eventually do a lot in chemistry classes and lab work.
Math: Measuring ingredients is great fraction, counting, and addition practice for kids
The bouncy balls are fun to play with, but when your kids are done store them in plastic bags to keep them from drying out. They will flatten out while they sit, so just roll them back into a ball shape.
What do you think of this activity? Will you make your own bouncy balls? If you liked this post, be sure to check out my other slime posts from this week: Fluffy Cloud Slime and Silly Putty.
