Squishies · DIY
DIY Balloon Squishy with Cornstarch
Make a squishy stress ball with a balloon and cornstarch or flour: the no-mess funnel method, fun faces and decorations, and the safety tips to know.
The balloon squishy is the easiest stress ball you can make: a latex balloon filled with cornstarch (or flour). Squeeze it and it squishes, then it holds the shape you gave it for a moment. Draw a face with a marker and you’ve got a little character.
What you need
- 2 balloons (the second one makes a double layer)
- About 6 to 8 tablespoons of cornstarch or flour
- A funnel (or a plastic bottle cut in half)
- An empty, dry bottle
- A permanent marker for the face
Step by step
- Blow up the balloon once, then let the air out: this stretches it and makes it softer.
- Use the funnel to fill the empty, completely dry bottle with cornstarch.
- Blow up the balloon a little, pinch the neck, then stretch it over the mouth of the bottle without letting the air out.
- Turn the bottle upside down and tap it: the cornstarch falls into the balloon. Gently squeeze the bottle to help.
- Take the balloon off while pinching the neck, let the air out slowly, then tie a tight knot.
- Cut the neck off the second balloon and pull it over the first one, knot side in: the ball is stronger and the knot is hidden.
- Draw a face with a permanent marker.
Variations
- Softer: flour makes a squishier ball; cornstarch gives a more “squeaky” texture.
- Lighter: fill it halfway with dry rice or lentils for a “beanbag” feel (careful: more small pieces if the balloon pops).
- With slime: some people fill the balloon with slime. It feels soft and smooth, but the slime can dry out or get moldy inside; cornstarch is the better choice.
What if it pops?
Cornstarch makes white dust but isn’t dangerous: vacuum it up, then wipe with a damp sponge. That’s exactly why you use two balloons, one over the other. Replace any balloon that has lost its stretch or looks worn and porous.
Balloon squishy, slime, NeeDoh: what’s the difference?
Slime stretches, and you handle it with nothing around it. A balloon squishy is sealed inside rubber: you can squeeze it without getting your hands messy. Store-bought squeeze balls like NeeDoh work the same way, with a rubber skin and a gel filling. To recognize them and trade them, check out popular fidgets.
See also
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