How to Dye Styrofoam Balls

Easily dye your Styrofoam balls for any project.

Creating a diagram of the solar system or a model of DNA is not an unusual assignment for many students. While most children are satisfied with simply coloring Styrofoam balls with a Sharpie marker, over-achieving students will want to dye the balls. However, dunking the balls in dye turns them to mush and painting the balls can make them sticky and hard to work with. Luckily, there is a way to "dye" the Styrofoam balls so they look perfect and remain easy to manipulate.

Things You'll Need

• 1 tbsp. Elmer's glue per ball
• 1 bowl per ball
• Food coloring
• Spoon
• Shish kabob skewers
• Shoebox

Instructions

1. Pour Elmer's glue into a bowl. Use 1 tbsp. of glue and 1 bowl per each ball being dyed.

2. Add a few drops of food coloring to the first bowl. Mix the color into the glue using a spoon.

3. Place the first ball into the dye. Roll the ball around until it is completely coated in the dye.

4. Slide a shish kabob skewer through one end of the ball, through the middle and out the other side of the ball.

5. Place the skewered ball over a shoebox to dry. The skewers rest on the sides of the box, while the ball is held suspended over the inside of the box.

6. Repeat steps 1 though 5, until all the balls are dyed. Place all of the balls over the shoebox. Depending on the size of the balls, you might need a second shoebox.

7. Allow the balls to dry overnight. Remove the balls from the skewer.

References

• Life Nut: How to Color Your Styrofoam Balls