DIY Stress Toy – Super Fun Squishy Ball

Skip the Store and Make it Yourself!

Once you realize how simple it is to make your own stress ball at home, you’ll save some money and skip buying them at the store! The steps are clear and concise and are simple so that kids will be able to join in on the fun. When we can, we love making sensory bases ourselves like slime and dyed pasta!

We used clear balloons so that we could see the colorful water beads inside, but you can switch it up based on your color preferences! 

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

• Water Bottle
• Funnel

• Small Water Beads
• Water
• Balloon
• Water Bottle
• Funnel

Step 4

Drop the water beads into the balloon.

Step 5

Let the air out of the balloon, making sure to prevent any water beads from spilling out.

Step 6

Tie the balloon shut.

Step 1

Make water beads by adding them to water and waiting 24 hours for them to expand to full size.

Step 2

Use a funnel to add the water beads into a water bottle.

Step 3

Blow up a clear balloon and secure it to the lid of the bottle.

Step 4

Drop the water beads into the balloon.

Step 5

Let the air out of the balloon, making sure to prevent any water beads from spilling out.

Step 6

Tie the balloon shut.

The Benefits of This DIY Stress Toy

This sensory activity is the perfect way to help kids learn how to feel items and process them. This activity also strengthens the muscles in their hands for stronger fine motor skills. You can also use this to identify colors based on the water beads that they see and work on spelling out those colors.

The squeezing of the sensory ball is excellent for helping with anxiety and emotions as well. This is a great way to help them learn how to calm themselves while keeping their hands and mind busy at the same time.