Sensory ball from recycled rubber

Some kids (and adults) like touching things with different textures.  Josh had an old inner tube after his bike got a flat, so I cut it apart to make a ball for our little boy.  It didn't take very long, but it was difficult to finish because my three year old kept trying to grab it before it was done.

It can be made denser than the one I made, but right now it's easy to wad it up and shove it in my 3 year old's pocket.


Items needed:

old bike inner tube
scissors
needle
strong thread or embroidery floss

Step 1: Cut the tube

I only had part of a tube because Josh used the rest on some mod for a Nerf gun.

Slice some thin rings from the tube with the scissors.  The outside edges will be slightly wider than the inside.  That's fine.

Snip the rings open so they become strips.

You could certainly leave the loops uncut, but I don't trust my three year old to not try to stretch them around things he shouldn't.  Strips are safer in our household.  

Comments

[smallfly10]

(removed by author or community request)

[supersoftdrink]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say :) Kids do sometimes take their snack from the table and put it elsewhere, though.

[beepea]

I give the goldfish on the couch a massive thumbs up! Yay for goldfish. Also, your son is ridiculously cute. x

[shoobar]

sure you're recycling, but are you certain the rubber isn't leaching chemicals into your child hands?

[Spokehedz]

Minimal chance of this happening. The rubber is vulcanized, which means it is heated and most of the bad chemicals are removed from the rubber when that happens.

[spookylean]

That is one cute kid you have.

[Feel136]

heh, cool!

[carpespasm]

Homemade koosh ball. neat.

[Ninzerbean]

Your photography and instructions are great. I love this idea.