Bouncy Balls

Ingredients

• 1 bowl for mixing

• 1 spoon

• 1 Measuring cup

• 1/2 cup of warm water

• 1 Tbsp borax

• 4 Tbsp white liquid glue

• 6 drops of food coloring

*Makes enough for about 5 students

Instructions

1. In a measuring cup mix 1/2 cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of borax and stir until all of the borax is dissolved

2. In a bowl mix 4 tablespoons of glue and 6 drops of food coloring

3. Add the borax solution to the glue 

4. Stir

5. The glue mixture will harden after about 10 seconds; use a fork to take it out of the water. If the glue mixture is still sticky, squish it with your hands and dip it back in the water.

6. Roll the mixture in your hands to make a ball (the more you handle the mixture the firmer it will become)

7. Enjoy!

What’s Happening?

When the glue was added to the borax water, the glue became firm and bouncy. This is because the borax reacted with the glue causing the polymers, or long chains of molecules, in the glue to stick together and form an elastomer.

Recipe borrowed from https://www.lifescarousel.com/make-super-bouncy-balls/