Let me start by saying that this play recipe was a complete accident! We were actually trying to make a new slime recipe (that totally failed) and instead we ended up with these super bouncy snowballs that are even cooler!
Fun things happen when you mix liquid starch and glue!
(Affiliate links included for your convenience.)
It’s no secret that we’re BIG fans of science experiments. Especially ones with few ingredients and big results.
This one is especially fun because after you are done you have a super bouncy snowball to play with!
How to Make Super Bouncy Snowballs
- 1 cup liquid starch
- 1 cup Elmer’s Glue-All
- a little bit of warm (running) water
Use a non-food bowl or container to combine the liquid starch and the Glue-All. A plastic container you were going to recycle works perfectly.
Add half of the liquid starch to the container and combine it with half of the Elmer’s Glue-All. Stir them together with a wooden spoon. Once they start to firm up add the rest the of liquid starch and glue slowly and keep mixing. You have to mix for longer than you would think. After a little bit it starts to firm up and become a big glob.
Once this happens take it out of the container and put it under warm running water in your sink. Knead it as it’s under the water so it starts to firm up. Then it’s ready to play!
Shape it into a ball and get ready to play! Here’s a quick video I took of the kids playing with it for the first time.
As you can see from the video as it bounces it becomes misshapen and makes a cool noise. Just reshape it with your hands and keep playing! It’s really so much fun. We’ve made it a couple times now and my kids play with it for the longest time.
I just love when science experiments turn into play things!
The fun doesn’t have to stop here! Try another super fun science experiment with your kids!
This post was first published on December 29, 2014 but we’re sharing it again because it’s so fun!
I am a great grandmother of a 4 year old, and an artist and am familiar with so many of these kid joyful crafts as I used them with my kids and grand kids too. I’m so glad you are keeping these wonderful things going for these little ones for a whole new generation of amazed children. I also enjoy seeing the new ideas like like
Kinetic Sand etc. I look forward to more ideas .
Thanks Brenda!!! So many of the things we do are the same ones I did when I was small. I love that you are passing down ideas to your great granddaughter! So wonderful!!!!!
Is there a substitution for liquid starch. I am unable to find it in Canada. 🙁 So many recipes ask for it.
Cynthia I don’t know one. 🙁 Let me ask around and see if anyone else does!
Hi, in Brazil you can’t find liquid starch, but you can make your own. Try this:
2 tbs of water mixed with another 2 of corn starch (the flour one)
While this, warm up 1 1/2 cups of water. When it boile add the mixture and keep it in the fire for another minute. It will become a clear paste. Then you can use like the liquid one.
Hope i was helpfull.
YAY!!!!! That will be soooooooo helpful!!!!
What stores carry the starch?
I’ve gotten it at Walmart, the grocery store, Target, even Walgreens. Check in the laundry section. 🙂
How many snowballs does this recipe yield? Also how long do they last?
Ours made about 3 big ones (like the one you see pictured) and we had our second batch for a couple weeks in a sealed bag. If it starts to get too squishy over time you can re-ball it up or even run it under the water again to help it firm up.
Thinking of making these for our arctic themed VBS – would putting them into a tub of warm water work- just the layout of room – no sink handy for a large group of kids…. and how about adding some glitter – because what’s better than a bunch of kids with glitter??
I think so! Maybe just have them dip it into the tub of water? It’s a VERY flexible recipe so if I think you should be fine. And definitely add glitter!!!! You can mix it into the glue first. Have fun!
Great experiment and great fun! What type of glue is Elmer’s Glue-all? We don’t have that in Scotland!
Hello! Here in the US Elmer’s is a company that makes a variety of different types of glue. The most common is school glue which I’m pretty sure is the same as a PVA glue if you have that. The glue all is very, very similar, but a little but thicker and stronger. You can use it for more than just paper. It will also hold wood or ceramics together. I think a regular glue would work too. You just may need to add a little more of it. I hope that helps!
I made two patches of the bouncy snowballs. I cannot get it to stay in the shape of a ball. It just flattens out and don’t want to bounce.. What did I do wrong?
So it will flatten out and not totally stay in a round shape–that’s why you get the cool bounces–but I don’t know why it won’t bounce! Did you maybe use school glue instead of glue all?