Fun Science Experiment: DIY Bouncy Balls

Our educators are always looking for ways to bring safe science right to the hands of our students. This DIY science experiment has caught the attention of our educators by involving a classic toy: bouncy balls. Bouncy balls are a long-time favorite that bring endless fun. Our team at Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. has a way to turn a classic toy into an educational science experiment. 

Getting hands-on with your students, no matter the age, can aid in learning and creating stronger engagement. Hands-on learning, or experiential learning, supports all types of learners: visual and auditory. Our educators particularly approve of hands-on learning because it creates a safe environment for creativity and confidence to grow while still having helpful guidance right at their fingertips. We know your students will enjoy this colorful, energetic activity that creates hours of fun along the way. 

In this experiment, students will learn about polymers. A polymer is a substance made up of a long chain of repeating molecules called monomers. Polymers are found in nature, such as proteins, but it is also found in substances such as plastic and rubber. The following experiment will join two polymers together: glue and wet cornstarch. 

(Image from Babble Dabble Do)

What You’ll Need: 

• Gloves
• Paper Towels
• Borax
• Liquid White Glue
• Food Coloring
• Warm Water
• Cornstarch
• Plastic Cups
• Plastic Spoons
• Measuring Spoons

What To Do: 

1. Put on gloves. 
2. Mix together 1 teaspoon of Borax in a plastic cup with 2 tablespoons of warm water. Stir to completely dissolve the Borax. This is Mixture #1. 
3. In another cup, mix together 2 tablespoons of white glue in a plastic cup with 2 teaspoons of cornstarch. Add in a few drops of food coloring of choice. Stir in color completely. This is Mixture #2.
4. Add 1 teaspoon of Mixture #1 into Mixture #2 and stir.
5. Your mixture will begin to harden. Once it has hardened slightly, remove it from the cup and quickly knead it. 
6. Roll the mixture between your palms to form a ball shape. Use pressure as you roll it to smooth out the surface. 
7. Get bouncing!

TIP: Halve this recipe if you’d like smaller-sized bouncy balls. 

This project was inspired by Babble Dabble Do. For more fun-filled classroom projects, visit the Mobile Ed Productions blog. 

Mobile Ed Productions, Inc.’s Professor Newton Program brings experiments just like these to life right inside your classroom! Professor Newton from Mobile Ed Productions can teach your students (in person or virtually) concepts of science as well as show students how to do some of our favorite experiments for themselves. This program is bound to get students “ooh”-ing and “ahh”-ing about modern science with a few laughs mixed in.

In our Professor Newton Program, students will learn about: 

• Fun and simple science experiments
• Chemical reactions
• Physics
• Tricks to solve math problems
• Magnetism
• Optical illusions

Contact our team to find out more information about our Professor Newton Program. We can’t wait to connect with you!