Fast and Fun: How to Make a Stress Ball

• Optional: you can wear gloves to prevent your hands from getting cornstarch on them.
• Grab a friend to help you with this project!

For this fun project, you'll need:

• 1 Small Balloon
• 1 Funnel (Make sure funnel is NOT rubber.)
• 1 Cup of Cornstarch
• 1 Pair of Scissors
• 1 Permanent Marker
• 1 Small Measuring Cup
• 1 Pair of Gloves (optional)

• Blow up the balloon until it is 4-5 inches around. It should be a little bit bigger than your fist.
• Do not tie it, but keep it inflated the best you can.

• Pinch the balloon closed, leaving enough room for the funnel to be inserted.

• Keeping the balloon pinched closed, insert the funnel inside of the balloon.

(DO NOT WORRY IF THE BALOON DEFLATES DURING THIS STEP!!)

• Using the funnel and measuring cup, begin filling the balloon with cornstarch.
• Only add SMALL amounts of cornstarch to avoid a clogged funnel.
• Be sure to keep the neck of the balloon pinched around the funnel.

• SLOWLY release your pinched fingers so the cornstarch can slide in the balloon.
• Do NOT let go of the balloon and release your fingers completely.

• Continue adding cornstarch to the balloon until it is filled about 3 inches.
• Adding small amounts of cornstarch, swirl the cornstarch around with your finger to work it into the base of the funnel and into the balloon.
• (If you don't want to use your finger, a pen or other thin object will do just fine.)

• Pinch out any excess air inside the balloon by pulling tightly on the opening of the balloon.
• It is important to eliminate any excess air that is inside the balloon in order to have an effective stress ball.

• Tie the balloon closed, as close to the cornstarch a possible.

• Use your scissors to cut off the excess part of the balloon
• Important: do not cut too close to the knot of the balloon

• Using your permanent marker, decorate your stress ball any way you would like.