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Oh, you poor soul. The Scrunchy Ball, or the more vulgar "stress ball" is a relatively recent invention. It's a rubber coated ball that gives when you squeeze it. It makes relaxed people smile, gives nervous people something to fiddle with, and gives psychotics an excuse for spasmodically clenching and unclenching their hands.
They may originally have been created out of necessity or maybe out of boredom. I’ve heard claims that they help with carpal tunnel syndrome and other stress disorders. I’ve heard that they work to strengthen rock climbers' hands. I used them to strengthen my hands for guitar. I don’t know if they worked. I don’t even know for sure that they don’t cause problems. All I know is that they are fun to squeeze and even more fun to make.
I discovered, upon the disintegration of my one and only commercially purchased ball, that it was not made of strange space-alien material but was, in fact, balloons and rice. I was thrilled and spent the next 6 months experimenting with various designs and processes. This is the product of my research.
Some people, at a place I used to work, told me I should call them "Squishy Balls". This is because the popular oatmeal filled balls are more "squishy" than "scrunchy". I'm sticking to my guns for name identification purposes. And anyway, I don't work there anymore.
The purpose of this page is
to spread joy. You don't need to spend ten dollars at REI for a
stress relief ball. In fact, you can relieve a substantial amount
of stress simply by assembling one yourself. I have developed a
system over the course of the last two years and I’m ready
to share. This is a great rainy day activity as well as a
sure-fire party game. I’ve done it with kids and I’ve
done it with grown ups. I’ve even done it with people who
had no sense of humor.
I want people all the world over to enjoy their own Scrunchys. If you know somebody who could use one, make it for them. Better still, teach them how.
As the saying goes: Give somebody a Scrunchy and they’ll scrunch for a month, Teach somebody to make a Scrunchy and they’ll be your best friend forever!
Well, the best news is you don't have to send me any money. I'm not selling them! Materials should cost no more than $1 per Scrunchy. They will usually cost less. It depends on the filler and the number of Scrunchys you intend to make. With oatmeal and bulk balloons they come to about 40 cents per. A typical Scrunchy, if treated properly, has a life span of about two months which can be extended if necessary by performing steps 9, 10 and 11on the Twelve Step Page on the old ball.
Balloons - minimum three per ball
but you may want to buy bulk.
Filler - You can put all sorts of
things in one.
An empty 2 liter soda
bottle (dry).
Scissors (sharp!)
A round handled wooden mixing spoon. The handle must fit easily into the mouth of the bottle.
Transparent Tape (optional)
Balloons
Filler
Put aside an hour for your first Scrunchy. What with reading the directions, making it and cleaning up. Once you know what you’re doing, Scrunchys will take as little as 5 minutes each.
I certainly hope not. I cannot take responsibility if they do. Avoid over-scrunching. If your hand starts to hurt, stop for a few days.
Never leave balloons or balloon pieces around infants! They will surely want to put them in their mouths and this can be fatal.
If the ball starts to show wear and tear the best thing to do is toss it and make another. It is possible to put a new outer covering on but this doesn’t preserve the ball as long as you might think it would. If you wish to reuse the filler this is fine, I have even used old balloon pieces as filler in a few Balls.
Scrunchy balls and office supplies don’t get along! This includes, staples, scissors, pens, pencils, push pins, letter openers etc. The same goes for kitchen utensils and fireplace tools. Don’t poke them if you want them to last.
They are not baseballs, hitting them hard or throwing them at walls is a sure way to shorten their lifespans. If you play catch with one be careful what it lands on.
Keep them out of bright light and heat, i.e. windows or car dashes and seats on hot days. If they begin to feel tacky they’re done for. There is no known cure.
Last updated by Daniel Kahn on 7/2/1998 - HOME
© 1998 Daniel Kahn. All Rights Reserved