Make Fun, Easy Beach Balls!

Our Mesha doll waiting to swim.

       I made two decorative versions of this beach or pool craft. One ball is red with white polka-dots and the other with large color blocking in: yellow, green, pink and lavender colors. The polka-dots where cut from typing paper and glued to the surface after the ball was layered in red tissue. The color blocking on the second beach ball was made by marking the masking tape surface in advance with a pencil and then filling in the four areas with different colors of tissue.

        To make a beach ball for a doll in any size or in any color you will need the following supplies: masking tape, colorful tissue paper, a Stryrofoam ball, white school glue and Mod Podge. You can purchase water resistant Mod Podge if you believe that this pretend beach ball will come in contact with water during playtime. I used ordinary Mod Podge because our 18'' doll pool is a dry playset.
       Cover the surface of the Styrofoam ball entirely with a layer or two of masking tape. Do so gently but with some small pressure of your fingertips. If you press too firmly, you could end up denting the surface unnecessarily. Judiciously squeeze small amounts of white school glue directly on top of the layered masking tape and press colorful tissue paper on top of the glue. Cover the entire surface one section at a time, allowing areas to dry entirely before covering other parts of the foam ball. 
       Drying times between each application are not lengthy, but you do need to be patient and methodical during the process. After the ball is covered with tissue and glue, brush on several layers of Mod Podge to seal it's outer surface completely before play. The Mod Podge will harden and take on a vinyl appearance after it dries.

 

Left, Styrafoam balls. Right, decorated to look like beach balls.

•  See more Barbie size pool toys here.