Juggling Balls - cheap and easy to make

These balls are very easy to make and great to juggle.
They are great for kids and beginners.
To make larger / heavier juggling balls simply add more filling at step 4.

I can provide all of these steps in printable format complete with teacher notes if you are running a workshop or class.

Step 1 Ingredients - for the balls

 For each ball you will need
- 1/2 measuring cup of millet (small round birdseed)
- 3 round latex balloons (25cm size)

Comments

[Xthinker]

The squirrels might come for you if you use bird seed..................................................

Lol just kidding, but seriously watch out!!!

[mischka]

I knew about the technic, but I like the pictures very much. Thanks for sharing!

[psquires]

These can make a huge mess if they break. I suggest this method: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-juggling-balls/
They are more durable. If they get dirty just replace balloons. I actually use these in most of my shows. I just use a little talc on my hands because they can get a bit sticky.

[waynevanwijk]

I agree that they can make a mess if they break but I have only had this happen when using cheap balloons that were too small.

I have used the tennis ball method that you recommend and think that the balls are great - if you can already juggle. I actually prefer the ball that you recommend. The main problem is that hard round balls have a tendency to roll away when dropped which is is not good for beginners, when teaching workshops or when doing shows.

The softer ball is more forgiving when making 'bad' catches.

The nice bit about these balls is that you can make them small for kids or large for adults.

[valhallas_end]

Agreed on the roll-away - I began using hacky-sacks (footbags, etc.) a while back for juggling because they were easy to open and change the weight and wouldn't roll.  I'm fairly proficient at juggling (nowhere near the level of most trick jugglers though), but I hate losing a ball with a passion...

Plus, if you juggle with multiple people, a softer bag is far, far better...tennis balls to the face can hurt.

[waynevanwijk]

 If you want to juggle between others (passing) then there is no substitute for juggling clubs. They offer a much larger target to catch than a little ball. I have heard it said that Club Passing is the most amount of fun that two jugglers can have with their clothes on. I haven't tried juggling with my clothes off so I can't comment on this.

[valhallas_end]

Clubs are pretty fun, but I tend to crack my knee with the bulb when passing in a downstroke.  I prefer weighted rods - particulary homemade ones...I found a while ago that paper towel tubes weighted with sand throughout and lead in one end (fishing leads that were handy), laminated with generous amounts of duct tape, make pretty good club substitutes.

Admittedly, I prefer bags for passing because I'm an avid hacky-sack player too - I find it rather fun to combine juggling and sack, especially when nobody expects it.  Believe me - passing 2 inch bags to friends with your feet and hands is pretty good exercise...

[Kiteman]

Cool - did you draw the pictures yourself?

Nice offer about the notes - maybe you could attach the file to the project, to save you having to keep emailing them to people?  (You just use the image uploader, but select your notes document instead.)

[waynevanwijk]

I commissioned an artist  friend to draw the pictures.
I will put the instructions on my website for easy downloading and provide a link here. Don't hold your breath as it may take a while.