Make Your Own DIY Orbeez Blaster on a Budget

Looking for a fun, budget-friendly project to enjoy during the warmer months? Making your own DIY Orbeez blaster is the perfect way to bring some outdoor entertainment without spending a lot. Orbeez, also known as water beads, are small polymer balls that grow to hundreds of times their original size when placed in water. With just a few basic craft supplies and household items, you can make an easy Orbeez blaster to shoot these gel beads for hours of amusement.

This article will walk through the simple steps to put together your own homemade Orbeez blaster using common materials. You’ll learn key techniques like cutting a plastic bottle, stretching a balloon over the open end, and gluing the Orbeez beads to the balloon. We’ll cover tips for getting the most power out of your blaster and how to modify it for even better performance. You’ll also discover the many ways an Orbeez blaster can be used for entertaining kids and adults alike during parties, outdoor activities, and more. The project is perfect for summer crafts and sensory play on a budget.

Follow along to learn everything you need to make your own amusing DIY Orbeez blaster without breaking the bank. You’ll be ready to soak, expand, and start shooting gel beads in no time!

How To Make Your Own DIY Orbeez Blaster?

Making an Orbeez blaster is a relatively simple process using basic craft materials. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating your own using a plastic bottle:

Gather Your Materials

You’ll need just a few supplies:

• Plastic bottle – A 16-20 oz plastic soda or water bottle works best. Make sure it is clean and dry.
• Balloon – Look for round latex balloons around 3-4 inches wide when inflated.
• Rubber band – This will secure the balloon to the bottle opening.
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Orbeez – Buy a package of 200-300 unlabeled Orbeez beads.
• Scissors or craft knife

Cut the Bottom Off the Plastic Bottle

Turn the bottle upside down and use scissors or a craft knife to cut off the bottom section – around 2-3 inches from the base of the bottle. This leaves you with a cylinder shape for attaching the balloon.

Stretch the Balloon Over the Bottle

Inflate the balloon to stretch it out a bit. Then place it over the cut open end of the bottle, stretching the latex over the rim. Use a rubber band to securely fasten the balloon around the bottle’s neck.

Glue the Orbeez to the Balloon

Using a hot glue gun, glue the Orbeez beads evenly spaced apart onto the balloon in a single layer. Leave a little room between each bead – about 1⁄4 inch apart. This allows space for the beads to expand when soaked in water.

Soak the Orbeez to Expand

Fill the bottle with water almost to the top. Submerge the balloon end with the beads into the water and let them soak for at least a few hours. The Orbeez will slowly expand to around the size of a marble, absorbing the water.

Shoot Your Expanded Orbeez

Once fully expanded after soaking, your DIY Orbeez blaster is ready to shoot! Hold the bottle in one hand and squeeze the balloon with the other. The pressure will force the enlarged gel beads to shoot out. Release to re-inflate the balloon and continue firing again and again.

Tips for Improving Your DIY Orbeez Blaster

There are a few easy ways to modify and upgrade a basic DIY Orbeez blaster to improve its power and performance:

• Use a larger bottle – A 2-liter soda bottle provides more air volume so you can pump the balloon for more pressure.
• Add multiple balloons – Attaching 2-3 balloons increases the blasting power. Just secure balloons next to each other over the open bottle end.
• Reinforce the bottle neck – Wrapping duct tape or attaching a extra rubber band around the bottle neck and balloon creates a tighter seal.
• Modify a water gun – Disassemble and customize a toy water gun by replacing its reservoir with soaked Orbeez beads.
• Attach a longer nozzle – Gluing a narrow funnel, tube, or PVC pipe to the bottle concentrates the bead stream for more distance.
• Purchase a gel blaster kit – For a more advanced blaster, buy a gel blaster kit and assemble it per instructions.

Fun Uses for Your Orbeez Blaster

A DIY Orbeez blaster opens up plenty of fun and creative ways to use it:

Outdoor Summer Activities

• Backyard target practice – Set up cardboard targets and try to hit bullseyes.
• Outdoor toy battles – Squirt friends and family for some summer fun. Wear protective eyewear.
• Water balloon fights – Fill balloons with soaked Orbeez for a fun twist.

Indoor Play

• Indoor target practice – Make an indoor target range with plastic sheeting to catch beads.
• Sensory play – The tactile beads provide sensory stimulation for kids.
• Relaxation tool – The repetitive motion can relieve stress for kids and adults.

Parties and Events

• Birthday parties – Set up blaster battles as a party activity. Give safety glasses to all players.
• Backyard BBQs – Add some casual fun to any cookout or picnic.
• Family reunions – Get kids and cousins engaged with bead blasting competitions.
• Office team building – Co-workers can bond while soaking each other with blobs.

STEM Activities

• Chemistry projects – Use different liquids like vinegar or oil to observe absorption.
• Physics demonstrations – Show action/reaction, velocity, and trajectory concepts.
• Environmental lessons – Discuss plastic pollution and recycling.
• Life cycle observation – Watch the dramatic size change when beads soak and dry out.

Buying Orbeez and Supplies On a Budget

The great thing about Orbeez blasters is they can be created on a budget with basic craft materials you may already have at home:

• Buy Orbeez in bulk – Look for sales online and at craft stores. Bulk packs of 1,000+ beads are just ~$0.01 per Orbeez.
• Choose inexpensive bottles – Reuse an empty household bottle or buy a value pack of bottles.
• Find balloons at the dollar store – The dollar store has latex balloons for just $1 per pack.
• Use a basic hot glue gun – You don’t need a fancy model. Check thrift stores for used ones.
• Buy value packs of rubber bands – A bag of 100+ bands covers all your securing needs.
• Ask neighbors for spare supplies – Someone nearby may have extra bottles or balloons to contribue.
• Substitute with similar materials – Try a flexible container lid if you lack balloons. String can replace rubber bands.

With smart sourcing of materials, you can make an awesome Orbeez blaster for hours of entertainment on a slim budget. Get creative with supplies you have on hand to control costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do the Orbeez beads take to fully expand in water?

The Orbeez beads need 4-8 hours of soaking time in water to reach their full expanded size. Be patient and let them sit overnight for best results. Using warm or hot water can speed up the expansion process slightly.

Do the Orbeez beads shrink back down?

Yes, when the Orbeez dry out, they will shrink down near their original tiny bead size. This can happen within 1-2 days. Re-soak them in water to make them expand again for repeated use. The expansion/contraction process is completely reversible.

Can I reuse the Orbeez beads in my blaster?

Definitely! The same Orbeez beads can be reused many times. Simply let them dry out, then resoak in fresh water to make them expand again. With proper care, Orbeez can be reused for years.

How far can my homemade Orbeez blaster shoot?

The shooting range depends on factors like bottle size, balloon seal, and water pressure. But typically an Orbeez blaster can eject the beads 5-10 feet. Modifying the blaster can increase the range further through steps like adding nozzles.

Is it safe to shoot Orbeez beads at people?

While Orbeez are non-toxic, you should always use protective eyewear and avoid shooting beads directly at faces. The beads could potentially cause injury at close range or if shot into eyes, so act responsibly.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own DIY Orbeez blaster is a fun, inexpensive project using common household materials. With just a plastic bottle, balloon, hot glue gun, and some Orbeez beads, you can make a simple yet entertaining blaster for summer activities, sensory play, parties, and more.

Follow the easy steps to cut your bottle, glue beads to a balloon, then soak to expand the blobs. A few simple modifications can improve power and range. Buy supplies in bulk or repurpose materials around your home to make the blaster very affordably.

So gather your supplies, stretch your creativity, and get ready for hours of DIY blasting excitement with your homemade Orbeez shooter!