Sometimes the simplest activities become the most fun.

One rainy morning we decided to make our own DIY sensory balls using balloons and simple ingredients from the kitchen. It turned into a cozy little activity full of laughter, sensory play, and connection.

These soft, squishy sensory balls are wonderful for fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and calming play. Squeezing them can help children release tension, explore textures, and support their nervous system regulation.

In this post, I’ll show you two easy ways to make sensory balls at home. Both are simple, inexpensive, and very fun to make with kids.

A Sweet Moment of Play

While we were preparing the balloons, my son started laughing every time we stretched them by blowing air inside and then letting them go. The balloon would zoom around the room making that silly squeaky sound before the air came out completely. It made the whole activity even more fun.

After we finished making the sensory balls, he spent the next few minutes squeezing them, rolling them, and even building little towers with them.

It was one of those simple, happy moments that made a rainy morning feel special.

1. DIY Sensory Balls (Flour Version)

What You Need

• Balloons
• Flour
• Funnel or spoon
• Bowl with water and a little dish soap

How to Make Them

1. Stretch the balloon first
   Blow air into the balloon once and let it out to make it easier to fill.

2. Fill the balloon with flour
   Use a funnel or spoon to slowly add flour.

3. Press gently
   Pack the flour lightly so the ball becomes soft and squishy.

4. Tie a tight knot

5. Dip in soapy water
   Place the balloon in a bowl of water with a little dish soap and gently coat the outside.

6. Let it dry

Once dry, the surface becomes smooth and slightly grippy, which makes the sensory ball extra satisfying to squeeze.

Optional trick:

Some people double-balloon it:

• Put the flour balloon inside another balloon (cut the neck off the second balloon first).

• This makes it stronger and safer so it doesn’t burst easily.

Safety tip

If using with younger kids, supervise because flour can spill everywhere if it pops.

2. DIY Sensory Balls (Rice Version)

You can also make sensory balls using rice.

I actually used some rice that had accidentally expired, which made this activity even better because we could reuse it instead of throwing it away.

What You Need

• Balloons
• Rice
• Funnel

How to Make Them

1. Stretch the balloon by blowing air into it once.

2. Use a funnel to fill the balloon with rice.

3. Tie a tight knot.

The rice version has a different sensory feel. When squeezed, it creates a soft crunchy sound that many children find calming and satisfying.

A Simple Calming Tool for Kids

Homemade sensory balls can be a lovely addition to everyday play. They support:

• sensory exploration
• fine motor development
• calming play
• emotional regulation

Just supervise younger children, since balloons can break if squeezed too strongly.

Looking for More Calming Tools for Kids?

If you’d like more calming activities and emotional regulation tools for kids, take a look at the Calm & Confident Kids Toolkit.

It includes printable resources designed to help children understand their emotions, calm their bodies, and build lifelong emotional skills.