Creating your own stress ball can be a creative way to release pressure and have fun making a squishy and playful item. Participants can customize their own by choosing their favorite color (or a calming one, such as blue) and adding stickers or colored patterns.

A stress ball is a fun and malleable toy that’s a great tool for portable stress relief. Both adults and children can squeeze the toy in their hands, moving their fingers around to relieve muscle tension, stress, and to exercise the hand. Beyond being a toy, stress balls may help make us feel relaxed and lower our blood pressure. Tossing one in the bag before starting a busy day or keeping one at the desk is very convenient for stress relief.

Objectives:

To learn how to make a stress ball;
To get to know each other and participate in creative activity together;
To have a stress ball and be able to use it for relaxing.

Duration: 45 – 60 min.

Number of participants: 5 – 10

Materials:

Computer and stable internet connection

Funnel
Scissors
Permanent marker (optional)
Small, round balloon
1 cup Cornstarch/ Flour

Description:

The facilitator starts the workshop with an ice-breaker and participants get to know each other. The facilitator makes sure that all participants have the necessary materials and are able to do the workshops by themselves, or if not, there is another person present that can help them.

Afterwards, the facilitator leads the workshop following these instructions:

1. Blow up the Balloon

Blow up the balloon until it is about 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Do not tie it, but keep the balloon inflated as best you can.

2. Pinch It Closed

Pinch the top of the balloon shut, about 1 to 2 inches from the opening, leaving room for the funnel to be inserted into the neck of the balloon. If you don’t have an assistant to help, use a clip to pinch the balloon.

3. Insert the Funnel

Place a funnel inside the opening of the balloon while still pinching the balloon closed. You may need help securing the funnel inside the balloon. Don’t worry if your balloon deflates a little, as this tends to happen during this step.

4. Fill Your Balloon With Cornstarch/flour

Fill the top of the funnel with cornstarch/flour using your free hand (or enlist a helper). It works best to add a small amount of cornstarch at a time.

5. Slowly Release Pinched Fingers

Carefully begin replacing the air with cornstarch by slowly letting go of where you’re pinching the balloon so the cornstarch can slide into it. If you go too quickly, the air leaving the balloon will blow the cornstarch into the air and make a mess.

Continue adding cornstarch to the funnel until the balloon is filled to a depth of about 3 inches. Continue adding small amounts of cornstarch to your funnel, moving slowly, and swirl the cornstarch around with your finger to help work it into the base of the funnel and into the balloon.

6. Squeeze out the Excess Air

Pull up tightly on the opening of the balloon and pinch out any extra air. In order to have an effective stress ball that won’t pop, it’s important to eliminate any extra air that’s inside your balloon. All of your stress ball’s contents should be cornstarch.

7. Tie the Balloon Closed

Tie the balloon closed as near to the cornstarch as you can. Use scissors to cut off any excess balloon, making sure not to cut too close to the knot on the balloon.

8. Decorate the Stress Ball

Decorate the stress ball with stickers or permanent markers as desired. Choose your favorite colors to make your new toy your own and add fun patterns to show off your artistic skills. Now you’re ready for stress relief on-the-go with your very own DIY stress ball!

Expected outcomes:

Participants gained knowledge on how to do a stress ball and are able to repeat the process in the future by themselves;
Participants have done their stress ball by engaging in a fun and interesting activity.