How to make textured balloons

Use kitchen ingredients like rice, couscous, flour or water to easily make these textured balloons for a fun sensory activity.

Two hands holding deflated balloons filled with rice

Have fun getting creative and seeing what fillers you can find lying around!

Who is this for?

This is a crafting activity for people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities.

Why does this make a difference?

This is a creative, sensory activity that helps people learn by using their senses to connect with their surroundings, exploring touch and different textures while supporting independent choice.

How to do this activity

What you’ll need

Pots of dried grains to fill balloons, some colourful balloons and a funnel
  • Balloons 
  • A funnel
  • A spoon
  • Fillers for the balloons, like rice, flour, water, couscous and rice
Pouring rice into a bowl

Step 1

Explore your kitchen and home for fillers – see how creative you can be! Look for different types of liquids and gels, or dried fillers to create a variety of textures.
A bowl of dried grains

Step 2

Pour your grains into a bowl to make them easier to transfer. Inflate your balloon and hold the air in for a few minutes to stretch it out and make it easier to fill.
Finished textured balloon surrounded by spilled jars of grains on a wooden background

Step 3

Let the air out, then put the funnel into the neck of the balloon and use the spoon to carefully add the fillers. When you’re done, just remove the funnel and tie a knot in the balloon.

Top tips

  • If you don’t have a balloon, a disposable rubber glove can work just as well
  • Make a simple funnel by cutting the top off a plastic bottle
  • These textured balloons can be re-used as a sensory aid in future games and workshops