How To Make Orbeez: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Make Orbeez: A Step-by-Step Guide PDF download Download Article Sensory fun for all ages—and all you need is water and water beads or tapioca pearls! Co-authored by Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: February 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Growing Orbeez from a Packet
    • |
  • Making Water Beads with Tapioca Pearls
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  • Video
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  • Q&A
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  • Warnings
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Aly Rusciano is a Creative Writer based outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She has over ten years of experience in creative, academic, and professional writing. Aly’s writing has been nationally recognized in the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle and featured in Blue Marble Review, The Sunshine Review, PopMatters, and Cathartic Literary Magazine. She graduated from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a BA in English, focusing in Creative Writing and minoring in Theatre. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 639,741 times. Learn more...

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

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Growing Orbeez from a Packet

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 1 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.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 2 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.
    • If you do spill the Orbeez, no worries! Simply use a vacuum to clean them up.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 3 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]
    • Warm water helps the water beads grow faster compared to using cold or room temperature water.[3]
    • 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.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 4 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]
    • 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. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 5 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.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 6 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. Check out these fun and unique games you can play with your Orbeez:
    • Mini bocce ball
    • Marbles
    • Mini croquet
    • Mini golf
    • Chinese checkers
    • Bingo
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 7 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.[5]
    • If your Orbeez do dry out, no worries! Re-soak them in warm water to make them grow.
  8. Step 8 Dispose of Orbeez in the trash or reuse them in a garden. 8 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.[6]
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Making Water Beads with Tapioca Pearls

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  1. Step 1 Pick up a... 1 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.[7]
    • 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.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 2 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.[8]
    • 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.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 3 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.[9]
    • If the pearls aren’t submerged, add 0.5 cups (120 ml) of water at a time until they are.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 4 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.[10]
    • The pearly are fully cooked when they look like little bubbles with a milky white center.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 5 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.[11]
    • If any pearls break during this process, simply remove them from the strainer.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 6 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.[12]
    • 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.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Orbeez 7 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.[13]
    • 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.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question If I break an Orbeez, can I fix it? Samantha L. Campbell Samantha L. Campbell Community Answer Sadly, once an Orbeez ball is broken, you won't be able to grow or shrink it since it won't hold any water. To get rid of it, you can throw the broken ball away in the garbage. Never put a broken Orbeez ball in a drain. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 37 Helpful 103
  • Question How do we make our Orbeez small again? Samantha L. Campbell Samantha L. Campbell Community Answer You can shrink your Orbeez by placing them in an open container for 24-48 hours. To speed up the process, put them in direct sunlight and spread them out on a paper towel so they release their moisture. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 28 Helpful 99
  • Question How many Orbeez would it take to fill a bathtub? Samantha L. Campbell Samantha L. Campbell Community Answer The amount of Orbeez you'll need will depend on the size of the bathtub. Most people use anywhere from 30,000-100,000 Orbeez. Before you fill the tub with water and pour in the Orbeez, make sure the drain is completely closed and sealed to prevent the Orbeez from falling into it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 40 Helpful 71
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Warnings

  • Do not ingest Orbeez. They’re non-toxic but are not meant to be consumed. Consult a doctor if you ingest a large number of Orbeez.[14] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Orbeez and water beads can be a choking hazard for children under 5 years old.[15] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
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References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/bJlj80UtFBI?t=35
  2. ↑ https://thrillogaming.com/orbeez-growth-time/#Now_You_Have_Fully_Grown_Orbeez_What_To_Do_With_Them
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/-0qNpNHG4kc?t=65
  4. ↑ https://thrillogaming.com/orbeez-growth-time/#How_Long_Do_Orbeez_Take_To_Grow
  5. ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2357-how-long-can-i-use-orbeez-before-i-should-throw-them-out/?p=web
  6. ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2359-how-do-you-dispose-of-orbeez/?p=web
  7. ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
  8. ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
  9. ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
More References (6)
  1. ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/MlBEIw1ToCg?t=102
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/MlBEIw1ToCg?t=212
  4. ↑ https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/edible-water-beads-sensory-play/
  5. ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2354-is-orbeez-safe/?p=web
  6. ↑ https://spinmastersupport.helpshift.com/hc/en/80-orbeez/faq/2354-is-orbeez-safe/?p=web

About This Article

Aly Rusciano Co-authored by: Aly Rusciano wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Aly Rusciano is a Creative Writer based outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She has over ten years of experience in creative, academic, and professional writing. Aly’s writing has been nationally recognized in the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle and featured in Blue Marble Review, The Sunshine Review, PopMatters, and Cathartic Literary Magazine. She graduated from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a BA in English, focusing in Creative Writing and minoring in Theatre. This article has been viewed 639,741 times. 12 votes - 62% Co-authors: 21 Updated: February 20, 2025 Views: 639,741 Categories: Beading Article SummaryX

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?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Kristen Brown

    Kristen Brown

    Apr 24, 2023

    "I purchased some waterbeds on Amazon that came without instructions! Making a sensory bin activity for preschool..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Aly Rusciano Co-authored by: Aly Rusciano wikiHow Staff Writer 12 votes - 62% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 21 Updated: February 20, 2025 Views: 639,741 Kristen Brown

Kristen Brown

Apr 24, 2023

"I purchased some waterbeds on Amazon that came without instructions! Making a sensory bin activity for preschool..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Dec 9, 2017

"I was given a Christmas list and Orbeez was one of the items. I had never heard of them, but with help from wiki..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Aug 26, 2016

"Really, everything helped me on the store-bought Orbeez. I just got some today and I was clueless, so I just wanted..." more Esha Usman

Esha Usman

Mar 27, 2018

"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..." more Maggie Litz

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Jun 2, 2017

"We purchased Giant Orbeez online from Amazon, unfortunately instructions were not included. These instructions..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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