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in Art/Design STEAM Activities

How to Make a Bouncy Ball

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This adorable DIY bouncy ball is Kelley green and a super-fun way to learn how to make a bouncy ball!

This St. Patrick’s Day, we’re going all out for hands-on St. Patrick’s Day STEM activities. We’re focusing mainly on science, and STEM topics this year, and my kids loved their Valentine’s bouncy ball experiment so much, we decided to do a bouncy balls experiment variation for St. Patrick’s Day.

Find out how to make a bouncy ball and how to make it into a STEM lesson below!

Kids will have a blast with the bouncy ball experiment.

This adorable DIY bouncy balls experiment is Kelley green and a super-fun, hands-on way to add St. Patrick's Day science to your classroom! Follow this bouncy balls recipe to learn how to make your own bouncy ball. Make a green bouncy ball for St. Patrick's Day! #stpatricksday #stemactivities #kidsactivities #scienceexperiment

Check out this list of Rainbow science experiments!

Turn this Activity into a Bouncy Ball Experiment

This adorable DIY bouncy ball is Kelley green and a super-fun way to learn how to make a bouncy ball!

Here’s how you can turn your DIY bouncy ball project into a science experiment.

Discuss why this ball isn’t quite as bouncy as rubber balls.

Why would the glue mixture not bounce as much?

What is the science behind the thick slime mixture?

Add variables to find the best and bounciest recipe for your bouncy ball.

The Bouncy Ball Science Experiment Explanation

how to make a bouncy ball

The science of the DIY bouncy ball is as follows.

Chemicals in the borax mix with chemicals in the glue, which creates long, polymer chains. These chains are shortened when less liquid is used and more borax powder is added.

So, instead of long, stretchy slime like you get with some recipes, you get a firm ball of flexible polymer chains. When you drop this on the ground, the ball flexes and the force of the ball hitting the ground causes it to bounce back into the air.

Kids Bouncy Ball STEM Extensions

diy bouncy balls

Making the ball is only the first part of what makes this DIY bouncy ball experiment so interesting. What makes this project educational is the math and science behind the activity. With this activity, kids are open to discussing physics, polymers, gravity, the laws of motion, and energy.

The reason these DIY bouncy balls don’t bounce as high as rubber balls is fairly complicated. Simply put, since the balls are made of a softer material, when they hit the ground, they absorb some of the reaction and bend, rather than bouncing.

The more energy you expend dropping or throwing the ball, the higher it will bounce. Experiment with changing the shape of the ball or comparing bounce height to a traditional bouncy ball.

How to Make a Bouncy Ball Experiment

This fun bouncy ball science experiment is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day thanks to its bright green color!

This adorable DIY bouncy ball is Kelley green and a super-fun, hands-on way to add St. Patrick's Day science to your classroom!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you for your convenience. 

steam challenge cards

Supplies for making bouncy balls:

  • White glue
  • Borax powder
  • Cornstarch
  • 2 plastic cups
  • Fork
  • Green food coloring
  • Measuring spoons

How to Make a Bouncy Ball Directions

bouncy ball science experiment

In one of the plastic cups, mix 2 tablespoons of glue, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and a few drops of green food coloring. 

This adorable DIY bouncy ball is Kelley green and a super-fun, hands-on way to add St. Patrick's Day science to your classroom!

In the second cup, mix 4 tablespoons of hot water and 1 teaspoon of borax powder. Mix until the borax is dissolved, or else your bouncy ball will be grainy.

This adorable DIY bouncy ball is Kelley green and a super-fun, hands-on way to add St. Patrick's Day science to your classroom!

Add the liquid mixture to the glue cup. Stir with a fork until you can’t anymore, then take it out and squish it between your hands. There might be pockets of glue, so be careful. Keep massaging the mixture until it starts to form a ball.

Once the mixture fully hardens, you can roll it into a ball.

This adorable DIY bouncy ball is Kelley green and a super-fun, hands-on way to add St. Patrick's Day science to your classroom!

Try out your new ball on any hard surface! Watch as it bounces to nearly waist height.

bouncy ball experiment
st patrick stem challenge cards

More St. Patrick’s Day STEM Activities

Try these fun STEM activities for St. Patrick’s Day!

Love rainbows? You won't want to miss these amazing, happy rainbow science experiments for kids. So many ways to learn with rainbows!

Rainbow Science Experiments

With the rainbow density jar, learn about the density of various liquids in a fun, colorful way! Science has never been so happy!

Rainbow Density Jar

These St. Patrick's Day activities for kids are adorable, fun, and easy to make! Kids will love these activities! Fun for classrooms or home!

Rainbow Slime

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Filed Under: Art/Design STEAM Activities Tagged With: st patricks day, steam activities

About Brenda Priddy

Brenda grew up thinking she hated science.

But when her 4-year- old daughter was more interested in reading science facts than fairy tales, Brenda realized she had to learn more about science to keep up with her daughter.

Through simple at-home science experiments, Brenda developed a passion for science and now acts as an advocate for STEM education for kids at her website STEAMsational.com.

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What is STEAM?

STEAM activities for kids promote the idea that science, technology, engineering, art, and math can all work together to help kids become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators!

Join us on our journey to discover just how much fun science experiments can be.

What we do… 

STEAMsational offers STEM and science lesson plans and teaching resources to provide a firm STEM foundation for children in the classroom or home.

All you need to do is find your supplies, gather your scientists, and let the innovation unfold.

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