How to Make an Elastic Ball

It's easy to put rubber bands to good use.

In your home you likely have a drawer full of clutter that contains a bunch of odds and ends. Chances are you have amassed a large collection of elastic rubber bands from old newspapers or groups of vegetables. If you aren't sure what to do with your collection, make an elastic rubber ball. Any time that you come across an elastic rubber band, add it to your rubber ball and watch it get bigger.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber bands
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Purchase a bag of rubber bands at your local craft or office supply store if you are short on rubber bands.

2. Crumple up five to 10 rubber bands tightly until they form a wad to make the center of your rubber band ball. Wrap a small rubber band over the crumpled up wad to secure them in place. Or if you want a quick head start, use a crumpled up piece of aluminum foil for the center.

3. Wrap small rubber bands around this little elastic wad. Small rubber bands are used at first because the wad is small. Wrap the smaller rubber bands around the little elastic wad in random directions so the wad begins to take the shape of a ball.

4. Continue to wrap larger rubber bands around your ball as your ball begins to get larger. The size of the rubber bands that you wrap around your ball needs to match the size of your ball. For example, use medium-sized rubber bands when your ball gets to be medium in size. If the rubber bands are too large, they will slip off your rubber band ball.

5. Continue to grow your rubber band ball until you run out of rubber bands. Wrap rubber bands around the ball in the places where the ball doesn't appear rounded. Rubber bands can be any width that you like. Add rubber bands in a variety of colors if you want a funky look.

References

• Science Toy Maker: Shane's Rubber Band Ball