DIY Bouncing Polymer Balls

In this activity, we will create a bouncing ball using a polymer.

Important Note: Prior to using any of the products mentioned, it is highly recommended to thoroughly read and understand all safety precautions associated with each product. It is also strongly advised to perform a patch test before proceeding with usage.

Please be advised that this guide is intended for informational purposes only and APC Pure cannot accept any responsibility for the outcome of any usage based on this guide.

Here are the materials you'll need:

• Sodium Tetraborate (Borax) 5% Solution
• Corn starch
• Glue (White glue will yield an opaque ball, while blue or clear glue will create a translucent ball)
• Warm water
• Food colouring (optional)
• Measuring spoons
• Spoon or craft stick for stirring
• 2 Jars (for mixing)
• Marker Pen
• Watch with a second hand
• Metric ruler
• Zip-lock plastic bag

Step 1: Label one jar as "Sodium Tetraborate (Borax) 5% Solution" and the other as "Ball Mixture".

Step 2: In the jar labelled "Sodium Tetraborate (Borax) 5% Solution," pour 2 tablespoons of warm water and add 1/2 teaspoon of borax. Stir the mixture. For a coloured ball, you can add food colouring at this stage.

Step 3: Pour 1 tablespoon of glue into the jar labelled "Ball Mixture". Add 1/2 teaspoon of the Sodium Tetraborate (Borax) 5% Solution prepared in the previous step and 1 tablespoon of corn starch. DO NOT STIR initially. Allow the ingredients to interact for 10-15 seconds, and then thoroughly mix them together with a spoon or craft stick. Once the mixture becomes difficult to stir, remove it from the jar and begin shaping it into a ball using your hands.

Step 4: Initially, the ball will feel sticky and messy, but as you knead it, it will solidify. Once the ball becomes less sticky, you can test its bounce. When you're finished playing with the ball, store it in a sealed Ziploc bag to keep it fresh.