15 – 30 minutes

Squish, squeeze, relax! Make a stress ball you can grab any time you need a reset.

Turn a balloon and some flour or cornstarch into a squishy stress ball you can squeeze any time you need to calm down or refocus. It only takes a few minutes to make, and you get to design it however you like.

Sustained Well-Being
Three decorated, homemade stress balls made from balloons and cornstarch sitting on a table

How to Prepare

Gather these items before you start.

  • 1 balloon
  • ½ to 1 cup of flour or cornstarch
  • 1 funnel, or a piece of paper rolled into a cone and taped
  • 1 spoon
  • Scissors
  • Permanent marker, in a colour that will show up on your balloon (optional, for decorating)

This activity can get messy! Do it over a table or tray.

Make Your Stress Ball

Step 1: Stretch the balloon. Blow it up, then let the air out. Do this 2 or 3 times. This makes it softer and easier to fill.

Step 2: Grab your funnel. Put the narrow end of the funnel into the opening of the balloon. Ask someone to hold it steady if you need help.

Step 3: Holding the funnel inside the neck of the balloon, slowly spoon flour or cornstarch into the funnel a little at a time. Tap or squeeze the balloon gently between spoonfuls to help it settle. Stop when the balloon is filled to a depth of about 3 inches.

Step 4: Holding the balloon upright by the neck, take out the funnel. While still holding on to the neck of the filled balloon, gently squeeze out any extra air so your ball is firm, not puffy! (Extra air inside your stress ball will make it pop when squeezed.)

Step 5: Tie the balloon closed as close to the flour or cornstarch as you can. Then use the scissors to trim off the extra balloon above the knot. Leave a little space so you don’t cut the knot.

Step 6: Decorate your stress ball with a permanent marker however you’d like: draw a face, pattern, positive word, or design.

Try It Out!

Squeeze your stress ball slowly 10 times. Each time you let go, notice your hand relaxing. Try breathing in as you squeeze and out as you let go.

Keep your new stress ball somewhere easy to reach, like your backpack, desk, or bedside, for times you need a quiet moment or something to do with your hands.

Image credit: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-make-a-stress-ball-1244219