Be Amazing Toys Amazing Spheres

I love these. They're fun to play with, and even without reusing them (letting them dry out in a cup takes weeks or months, and I don't have anywhere to lay them out to dry), they last quite a long time -- I typically grow them in a plastic cup, and there are enough spheres here to fill lots of those. I really like the texture of these, and enjoy playing with them, even as an adult. They're also a very good sensory toy. I have Asperger's, which often comes with sensory "issues," and would probably have been diagnosed with sensory processing disorder if it was as widely recognized when I was a kid as it is now (I'm not sure the diagnosis even existed yet, but if it did, it was still very obscure), and I really enjoy them. They were also really popular with the other people in the program I'm in for young adults with autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities. They're fairly easy to break when fully hydrated, but that's not a big deal, because you get so many of them for the price.I recently moved to a new city, and noticed that my spheres seemed smaller when full grown than they had at my mom's house, so I set up an experiment using distilled water, local tap water, and tap water with added salt, with the hypothesis that increased solute concentration would lead to the spheres growing smaller. The results supported my hypothesis. I then compared tap water from my mom's house and my apartment, and confirmed that the spheres did grow bigger in water from her house, suggesting that the solute concentration in the tap water here is higher than in her municipality. The experiment was both simple enough for a young child to understand (What happens if I add some salt to the water along with my spheres? You could also try adding other household substances -- food coloring would likely turn the clear spheres colored... and I have no idea what, for instance, vinegar might do -- it could be interesting to try!), and also sophisticated enough to hold my interest as a college-educated adult with a very strong science background (I completed almost all the requirements for a major in biology, most for a major in biochem, and worked in several research labs, and am even a coauthor on a published paper in genetics). I planned out an experiment to begin to look at the mechanism involved in the effect I observed, but haven't carried it out, both because I haven't worked out all the details, and it involves more work than simply dropping the spheres in different solutions (I'd have to thoroughly rinse them in distilled water, dry them out, then regrow them in distilled water), and also my roommate isn't thrilled about having science experiments on the dinning room table indefinitely.Also, I recently tried putting some of these spheres in a balloon to make a fidget toy with great results. I found it works best to add a bit of salt to the water, so the spheres don't grow quite so big, which makes them a bit more durable. Then you just stick a bunch of them in a balloon, add a very small amount of water (just enough to fill in the spaces around the spheres, without stretching the balloon at all), and tie it off, for a home-made stress ball with a very interesting texture. I had fun making them, as did my peers in the program I'm in... so much so that I'm going to need more spheres, which is what brought me back to this page!Do be aware, though, that the spheres, especially when dry, are potentially harmful if swallowed, because they can expand in the stomach or intestines and cause a blockage. Because the expanded spheres are so fragile, it's unlikely that it would cause any serious harm, but it is a possibility, and I'd recommend close supervision around young children (or anyone who might put these in their mouth) and pets. Aside from that, though, I'd recommend these for all ages (just making sure that babies and toddlers only have access to the hydrated spheres), from babies through adults. They're a fun, educational, sensory toy, and can be a basis for science experiments at virtually any level, from simply observing size, color, and texture, to investigating the chemistry of the particular polymer these are made of.

The "test tube" in this set measures about 4 inches long and just under an inch wide. The set also includes two little zipper bags of "amazing spheres". These super-absorbant little balls are similar to the ones used for floral arrangements, and a close relative of the absorbant stuff found in the lining of baby diapers.You start with little balls that look and feel like hard plastic. Each is just a bit smaller than a BB, and this set includes both clear and colored "spheres".When placed in water, they slowly but surely absorb the fluid, growing until they are about the size of a grape in 6 - 8 hours. Now, they will feel wet and wobbly, like a ball of thick gelatin. If left out of the water they will slowly but surely shrink back to their original size, and can be used again and again.Personally, I prefer the clear spheres to the colored ones. The colored spheres are a little dull looking - not very bright - and they are odd colors. No true primary colors here!The clear spheres, on the other hand, will absorb food coloring if placed in a container of colored water. Plus, the clear spheres "disappear" when placed in a cup of clear water. This can be especially fun for preschoolers in a not-too-warm bathtub, kiddy pool, or other large water container; they love to "fish" for the almost-invisible marbles using a small net!Still, both kinds are fun, and will last a long time with gentle treatment. Some children have a hard time resisting the urge to smash the large marbles and they are soft enough that this can be done easily. If your child finds marble smashing fun, this may be a very short-lived set. :)The product description really emphasizes that they are bouncy. They do bounce in an appealing way when dropped from a short height, but they are NOT strudy enough to bounce like balls, or to throw around. They are non-toxic, but should not be used by little ones who may put them in their mouths. (The larger "grown" marbles are a choking hazard, and the tiny balls could grow after ingestion.)All in all, this is an appealing sensory toy, a neat cause and effect science activity, and a cool product that sparks the interest of kids (and adults) of all ages.

All my kids loved this. I had my daughter take it in for show and tell in a covered container to leave over night. The next morning she said they where a big hit. As I picked my daughter up that day kids where all asking to take one home. They are bounce and soft when fully saturated and do get a hundred time bigger than they start. Clear ones in water almost make it look as though there is nothing in the water until you magically reach your hand in there and pull out a bunch of these spheres.

I have no idea how this will work out as this is a gift for a bright little boy. He is just getting inquisitive about science and I loved the idea that is makes balls from water and some chemicals.

If you teach science they are a blast to use and share. Note that the beads take DAYS to reach full size and weeks to shrink back to normal. It's a fun demonstration kids will like and they can play with them safely too.

This was 1 of several kits I ordered from amazon for a science theme in my premise class. We had so much fun with theses spheres. Just be careful they really bounce!! Easy and simple.

These didn't grow to nearly the size they said they would - no matter what we tried. They worked OK, but seemed just a bit over-hyped. Kids quickly lost interest in them.

Fun stuff!

Le palline si ingrossano ma non come visto nel filmato dimostrativo, pertanto non soddisfano appieno le mie aspettative e pur essendo si,pratiche pensavo fossero meglio.

La confezione è arrivata puntualmente in buono stato. Ho usato le sferette, che sono invisibili in acqua, per lezioni di ottica nella scuola superiore. Funzionano come indicato e sono uno strumento utile, che stimola la curiosità e l'attenzione degli allievi.