Stress Balls
Please read the procedure before beginning! After reading, please watch the video. Some activities require more time and cleanup than others. You also have the choice of performing these activities in a way that suits your needs.
Not for children under 3 years. Adult supervision required. Follow approved procedures.
Materials
Sand Stress Ball
· Solid Colored Balloon
· Funnel
· Sand
· Permanent Marker
· Yarn
· Scissors
Play-Doh Stress Ball
· Scissors
· 2 Marble Balloons
· Play-Doh
Water Beads Stress Ball
· Water beads
· 8oz Cup with measurements
· Warm water (not included)
· Translucent Balloon
· Funnel
Procedure
Sand Stress Ball
1. Stretch the opening of the solid colored balloon over the opening on the bottom of the collapsible funnel.
2. Slowly pour the sand in the funnel until the balloon is filled with sand to the base of the neck of the balloon.
3. Tie off the neck of the balloon to keep the sand inside.
4. Draw a face on the balloon using the permanent marker.
5. Tie the yarn around the part of the balloon that is tied and snip the ends using the scissors to make crazy hair. Your sand stress ball is completed!
Play-Doh Stress Ball
1. Cut the necks off of the 2 marble balloons.
2. Roll the Play-Doh into a ball and stretch one of the balloons around it.
3. Stretch the other balloon around the ball so that it covers the opening of the first balloon. Your Play-Doh stress ball is completed!
Water Beads Stress Ball
1. Pour the water beads into the 8oz cup. Fill the cup to the 1/2 cup mark with warm water. Leave for 1-2 hours.
2. What happened to the beads after 1-2 hours? Stretch the opening of the translucent balloon over the opening on the bottom of the funnel.
3. Drain the water from the cup, and pour the water beads into the balloon using the funnel until the balloon is filled to the base of the neck.
4. Tie off the neck of the balloon to keep the beads inside. Your water beads stress ball is completed!
The Science Behind It
Sensory Stress Balls provide reinforcement and further development of both motor and sensory skills for children of any age. Motor skills include praxis and execution, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills. Praxis allows the child to conceptualize, organize, sequence, and perform motor actions. Additionally, this activity is universal by providing tactile and visual sensory experiences for all children.