In today’s fast-paced world, stress is not limited to adults alone. Kids also encounter their fair share of stress and anxiety. That’s where DIY stress balls come to the rescue! These squishy, tactile tools provide a calming sensory experience and serve as a healthy outlet for stress relief. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through creating your own stress balls using simple materials like water beads, beans, or flour and balloons. So, let’s dive into this fun and therapeutic project that will empower your child to squeeze away stress and embrace a sense of calm and relaxation.
WILL YOU TRY MAKING DIY STRESS BALLS WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE? Pin it for later!
Materials for DIY Stress Balls for Kids
- Balloons (preferably latex)
- Water beads, beans, rice, flour, or other filling materials
- Funnel or spoon (to fill the stress balls)
- Scissors (optional)
- Permanet Markers
Instructions for DIY Stress Balls for Kids
- Choosing the filling material:
Select the filling material for your stress balls. Water beads are a popular choice as they provide a unique sensory experience, but you can also use beans, rice, flour, or any other small filling item that is safe for your child. Follow the instructions to grow your water beads. Place the water beads in a bowl and cover them with an inch or two of water. Once the water beads are full size, place them in an empty water bottle.
- Preparing the balloons:
Stretch out the balloon a few times to make it more flexible and easier to work with. If desired, trim off the neck of the balloon using scissors to create a wider opening for filling.
- Filling the balloon:
Attach the funnel to the opening of the balloon or use a spoon to carefully add the filling material or you can even use a water bottle and squeeze them into the balloon. Take care not to overfill the balloon; leave some room for the material to move around and create a squishy texture.
- Tying the stress ball:
Gently squeeze out any excess air from the balloon. Tie a tight knot at the end of the balloon to secure the filling inside. Double knotting is recommended for added security.
- Optional: Adding a second balloon layer (recommended for durability):
If desired, repeat the process using a second balloon, placing the filled balloon inside the second one. This additional layer helps prevent the stress ball from bursting and adds durability.
- Using a Sharpie to draw a face or design and decorate your squishy ball. Give your squishy ball a name and start releasing some tension by squeezing and pressing it in all directions and playing with it in your hands.
Stress balls are not only fun to make but also offer numerous benefits for kids. Squeezing and manipulating the stress balls provides a sensory experience that can help release tension and promote relaxation. The rhythmic squeezing motion can be a soothing activity that helps calm anxious feelings and improves focus. Stress balls can be used during moments of stress, while doing homework, during long car rides, or as a tool to promote self-regulation and mindfulness. Encourage your child to personalize their stress balls with colors or decorations to make them uniquely their own.
With DIY stress balls, you can empower your child to manage stress in a healthy and creative way. By engaging in this simple yet effective project, they’ll develop coping strategies and learn the importance of self-care. So grab your materials and let’s create some stress-relieving magic with DIY stress balls for kids!
Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 airs in the summer of 2023! We were also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
WILL YOU TRY MAKING DIY STRESS BALLS WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE? Pin it for later!
