Download Article
Sensory fun for all ages—and all you need is water and water beads or tapioca pearls!
Download Article
Looking for something fun to do this afternoon that’ll tickle your senses and relieve stress? Whether you’re a kid or an adult, Orbeez are a great sensory toy anyone can have fun with! Orbeez are tiny, absorbent beads that grow into squishy, bouncy balls when soaked in water. These water beads can be made with a package of trademarked Orbeez or with edible tapioca pearls. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s watch these colorful stress-relieving water beads grow!
Things You Should Know
- To make a packet of Orbeez, combine every 100 beads with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water.
- Let the Orbeez soak in the water for at least 2 hours before straining and playing with them; the longer they soak, the bigger they’ll be.
- Alternatively, you can make homemade edible water beads with tapioca pearls or boba balls by soaking them in boiling water, straining them, and letting them cool.
Steps
-
Grab a package of Orbeez in-store or online. Visit a craft or toy store to find Orbeez, and choose a package in your favorite color or one with a mix of colors. Packets come in a variety of sizes that can contain as little as 100 or as many as 10,000 Orbeez.
-
Pour the Orbeez into a container. Use a pair of scissors to open the packet, making sure not to spill any tiny beads on the ground. Carefully dump the contents of the package into a large bowl. [1] X Research source- If you do spill the Orbeez, no worries! Simply use a vacuum to clean them up.
Advertisement -
Add 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water for every 100 Orbeez. Pour the water into a bowl on top of your water beads. Make sure you use enough water, as this helps each bead grow to the correct size.
- Use clean, distilled water to help your Orbeez grow to their maximum diameter of 14 millimetres (1.4 cm). [2] X Research source
- Warm water helps the water beads grow faster compared to using cold or room temperature water. [3] X Research source
- If you want to make the Orbeez last longer, add a pinch of salt to the water. The Orbeez won’t be as large, but they won’t dry out as fast.
- Always follow the instructions on your Orbeez packet regarding how much water you should add.
-
Soak the Orbeez in the water for at least 2 hours. The Orbeez will slowly grow to about 100 times their original size. Check on them every hour to make sure they’re still covered in water. If they’re not, add an additional 1 cup (240 mL) of water to the bowl. [4] X Research source
- If the Orbeez aren’t perfectly round, they haven’t soaked up enough water. Leave them in the water until they’re symmetrical spheres. [5] X Research source
-
Strain the Orbeez to remove excess water. Extra water may be at the bottom of the bowl you soaked your Orbeez in. Pour the entire bowl into a strainer to remove the leftover water, and then transfer the Orbeez back into the bowl.
-
Play with your Orbeez. Now all that’s left to do is have some fun! Run the water beads through your fingers, bounce them on the ground, make a stress ball , or invent a game with them. [6] X Research source Check out these fun and unique games you can play with your Orbeez:
-
Store Orbeez in a resealable bag or container for a week. When you’re finished playing with your water beads, put them into an airtight container or a plastic bag. This way, they won’t dry out super quickly, and you can play with them again later. [7] X Research source
- If your Orbeez do dry out, no worries! Re-soak them in warm water to make them grow.
-
Dispose of Orbeez in the trash or reuse them in a garden. Never, under any circumstances, pour Orbeez down the drain, as they could clog your pipes. Instead, when you’re done playing with them, or they’ve grown moldy, toss them in the trash. You can also recycle them by adding them to a potted plant’s soil, as they can help retain moisture so you don’t have to water as often. [8] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Pick up a bag of tapioca pearls or boba balls online or at the store. Tapioca pearls or boba balls are available at most grocery stores, Asian markets, and online retailers. They’re small white balls that typically come in a bag. [9] X Research source
- These pearls or balls are food-safe and commonly used to make boba drinks, so they’re perfect for making water beads for younger children who may put them in their mouths.
- Tapioca pearls and boba balls are the same thing, except tapioca pearls are usually translucent, making them perfect for DIY water beads.
-
Boil 4 cups (950 mL) of water. Pour the water into a large pot, and place the pot over high heat on the stovetop. Cover the pot with a lid and wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to reach a boil. Open the bag of tapioca pearls while you wait. [10] X Research source
- Depending on the size of your pot, it may take slightly more or less time to boil the water, so keep an eye on it.
-
Pour the bag of tapioca pearls into the boiling water. Make sure all of the pearls are submerged in the water. Use a wooden spoon to stir them around for about 10 seconds to keep them from sticking together. Keep the heat at a high temperature for 1 to 2 minutes to begin cooking the pearls. [11] X Research source
- If the pearls aren’t submerged, add 0.5 cups (120 ml) of water at a time until they are.
-
Simmer the pearls in the water for 20 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-high, and let the pearls cook and expand. Stir them occasionally but don’t try to break them apart, as this could ruin their round shape. The pearls will separate on their own as they cook. [12] X Research source
- The pearly are fully cooked when they look like little bubbles with a milky white center.
-
Strain and rinse the pearls in a colander. Pour the contents of the pot into a strainer, and run cool water over the pearls. Rinse the pearls until they’re cool to the touch. [13] X Research source
- If any pearls break during this process, simply remove them from the strainer.
-
Play with your tapioca pearl water beads. Once the pearls have cooled down, they’re ready to be played with. These water beads are great sensory stimulation for children and adults alike. Put the finished water beads in a container and run them between your fingers. [14] X Research source
- Try using your DIY water beads to make temporary sensory bottles or marble art.
- Keep in mind that the starch of the tapioca pearls could leave a residue on your fingers or playing surface, unlike store-bought Orbeez.
-
Store your water marbles for a week in a container in the fridge. Like most foods, tapioca pearls or boba balls will spoil if left uncovered in a warm place. Put your homemade water beads in an airtight container or bag, and place them on a shelf in the refrigerator. [15] X Research source
- Avoid using the pearls for making food or drinks after you’ve played with them to avoid spreading germs and bacteria.
- Dispose of the water beads after a week or when they start to smell or grow moldy.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionCan you soak your feet in them?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYes! Orbeez or water beads can be a perfect addition to a foot bath. Simply soak your feet in a large basin full of Orbeez, or add a few beads to your bath water for some sensory fun.
-
QuestionIs there a way you can speed up the growing process?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerMake sure you use warm water to grow your Orbeez, as cold or room temperature water can slow down the growing process.
-
QuestionHow big does the container or bowl that's carrying the orbeez have to be?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerMake sure your container or bowl is large enough to hold the water you'll need and the fully grown Orbeez. It's always best to use a bigger bowl rather than a smaller one.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Ra6Z7nOoKW4?t=41
- ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2365-how-big-do-orbeez-grow-how-can-i-make-my-orbeez-grow-larger/?p=web
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-0qNpNHG4kc?t=65
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Ra6Z7nOoKW4?t=51
- ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2361-my-orbeez-are-not-fully-round-what-should-i-do/?p=web
- ↑ https://youtu.be/V7YYNhpfijg?t=105
- ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2357-how-long-can-i-use-orbeez-before-i-should-throw-them-out/?p=web
- ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2359-how-do-you-dispose-of-orbeez/?p=web
- ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
- ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
- ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
- ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/MlBEIw1ToCg?t=102
- ↑ https://youtu.be/MlBEIw1ToCg?t=212
- ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
- ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2354-is-orbeez-safe/?p=web
- ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2354-is-orbeez-safe/?p=web
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To make Orbeez, carefully open the packet and pour the tiny pellets into a bowl. Measure 1 cup of warm water for every 100 or so pellets and pour the water over the Orbeez. If you want the Orbeez to last longer, add a pinch of salt to the water, but keep in mind that the Orbeez won’t be quite as large if you do this. Soak the Orbeez in the water for at least 4 hours, or until the pellets have grown to perfect spheres. Once they’re ready, pour the Orbeez into a strainer to remove any excess water, then enjoy playing with them! Keep reading to learn how to make your own Orbeez out of tapioca pearls!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 624,750 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I purchased some waterbeds on Amazon that came without instructions! Making a sensory bin activity for preschool the next day and this was very helpful to find. Can't wait to have my pond themed sensory bin ready tomorrow!" ..." more
Advertisement
"I purchased some waterbeds on Amazon that came without instructions! Making a sensory bin activity for preschool the next day and this was very helpful to find. Can't wait to have my pond themed sensory bin ready tomorrow!"
..."
more
"I was given a Christmas list and Orbeez was one of the items. I had never heard of them, but with help from wiki now I know what to look for. If I have any concerns, my questions can be answered. Thank you."
..."
more
"Really, everything helped me on the store-bought Orbeez. I just got some today and I was clueless, so I just wanted to say thanks so much. I've been wanting some for a while now!"
..."
more
"I got a tip that I should store it in a airtight container so that it can stay for long, and I should put a dash of salt in the container when done playing. Thank you!"
..."
more
"We purchased Giant Orbeez online from Amazon, unfortunately instructions were not included. These instructions worked great. Thanks."
..."
more
