Especially now that days are longer and it our brief rainy season is almost over, this looks like a really fun and educational craft to do with the Angels– in the garden, definitely NOT indoors.

The photo isn’t mine, but this is what I hope ours will look like. I’ll definitely use glitter glue.

A while back I got some borax for another craft that we never tried (snowflakes with pipe cleaners), but this project definitely looks like something everyone would enjoy.

Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water
1 tablespoon borax powder
1 to 2 tablespoons clear Elmer’s glue (glitter glue works too!)

INSTRUCTIONS…

Step 1: Make the borax solution
Pour 1/2 cup of warm water into a bowl.
Stir in 1 tablespoon of borax powder until it is completely dissolved.

Step 2: Add the Glue
Slowly pour in 1 to 2 tablespoons of glue, depending on how big you want your bouncy ball.
If using glitter glue or colored glue, this is where the fun begins!

Step 3: Form the Ball
As soon as the glue touches the borax solution, it will start to solidify.
Use your hands to squeeze and shape the mixture into a ball.
If the ball feels too sticky, dip it back into the borax solution for a few seconds, then continue shaping it.

Step 4: Let It Set
Once the ball is smooth and holds its shape, set it aside to dry for a few hours.
As it dries, it will become even bouncier and more solid.
Experiment with different types of glue – Clear glue gives a translucent ball, while glitter glue adds sparkle.
Don’t overwork the mixture – Knead it just enough to form a ball, but too much handling can make it less bouncy.
Store properly – Keep your bouncy ball in a sealed plastic bag to prevent it from drying out.

The educational science experiment part of this project…
The glue contains polyvinyl acetate (PVA), a liquid polymer. When mixed with borax, the PVA chains link together, forming a rubbery texture. This cross-linked structure is what makes the ball firm yet flexible, giving it the ability to bounce.