How To Make Bouncy Balls With Polymers

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Use simple chemistry to make a polymer bouncy ball with household ingredients. The ingredients used to make this ball form a type of elastic polymer that bounces like a store-bought super ball. The following recipe will make one small ball. Be sure to use adult supervision when making bouncy balls.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 tsp. Borax (a laundry booster)
• 1 tbsp. Cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. White glue
• 2 tbsp. Warm water
• Food coloring (optional)
• Measuring spoons
• Craft sticks for mixing
• 2 plastic cups for mixing
• Permanent marker
• Resealable plastic bag

Instructions

1. Label one cup "Borax" with the marker. Into this cup, pour warm water and Borax. Add several drops of food coloring. Stir.

2. Pour glue into the other cup. Add 1/2 tsp. of the Borax mixture and cornstarch. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before stirring. Stir until mixture thickens and becomes difficult to stir.

3. Take the mixture out and knead into a ball.

4. Store ball in resealable bag to keep it from drying out.

Tips & Warnings

• Clear glue will make a translucent ball.