Water Beads: Ideas and Uses of Water Beads

Water beads are a great, exciting item for decoration, watering facilities, and even activities and games for children. They look really cool and are fun and easy to use.

They are popular for use in centers for weddings and special events and are part of an exciting trend in sensory exploration for kids.

beads (also known as Orbeez, water pearls, water crystals, gel beads, etc.) are polymer crystals that look like small beads. When placed in water, they absorb water and grow to about the size of a marble.

Read on to learn how to use beads and some ideas to incorporate them into decorations, plants, and kids.

beads are small before water is added.

Pour the beads into a bowl and add water.

The beads absorb water and grow.

Cold Use for Water Beads # 1

On hot days, beads wrapped in a bandana work great for a neck cooler. Put the bandana in the freezer for a greater cooling of 15 minutes.

How to Use Water Beads?

Beads are easy to use. Follow the instructions below and follow the instructions.

• Beads are usually completely dry. They will be small, hard beads. Take care of themselves in the packaging because if they come loose they will roll all over.
• Put them in water for a few hours (about 4-8 hours) to make them expand. The more water you add, the bigger they will grow until they reach their size limit (the size of a large pea or marble). Allow 8 hours for larger beads.
• When they absorb the water, they will feel like a crushed gel and look like a translucent ball.
• Once the beads have expanded to their full size, a strainer can be used to drain excess water.
• Beads are relatively durable, but they can break. If they are mashed hard enough, they will crumble. If you drop them on a hard surface, it can shatter them as well.
• They can hold the water for a few weeks or even months. Eventually, the water will evaporate and the beads will start to shrink. Just add more water to keep them hydrated.
• If you want to make these smaller, let the water evaporate. To speed up the process, you can use a strainer to get rid of excess water. Carefully lay it on the towels (folded by the edges to prevent them from slipping) and let them dry. Then you can put them in a bag and use them over and over again.

Demonstration of most of the use of beads in decoration.

Cold Use for Water Beads # 2

Add essential oils to the water you use and freshen the air with beads. Beads make a room look and smell great.

Decorating with Water Beads

The most common use for beads is decoration. Use them in vases, bowls, and jars for eye appeal. They are perfect for centerpieces for weddings and other events.

Beads really add a wow factor that can turn ordinary vases and bowls into something beautiful.

They come in multiple colors and there are even different shapes and sizes. Look for jumbo water pearls as well as square and heart-shaped beads.

Add more impact to your decorations with these ideas using beads:

• Layered vases with bands of different colored beads. Use wax paper between layers to keep the beads separate. Or mix beads of two or more colors for a rainbow look.
• You can also add different amounts of water to make the beads grow in various sizes. You can then layer the colors with beads of different sizes, or you can soak the beads in varying amounts of water to combine multiple sizes into a single color mix.
• Add floating candles to vases with beads. Add extra water along with the beads so the candles stay on top.
• You can even put pillar candles in the beads. Beads will be able to support the candle.
• Paint food in water with beads, especially clear ones, for a more colorful decoration. The beads will absorb some of the color for a while.
• Use real and artificial flowers in water bead vases. Beads help keep real flowers moist and will not damage artificial flowers. With the wrapping around the artificial dyes, you can wrap it before placing it on the beads if you are worried about putting it on the beads.
• Submersible LED lamps are great for using in containers with beads. It looks gorgeous shimmering through the light beads. Just turn on the LED lights and drop them inside the beads for a lighted centerpiece to catch your attention.

Water Beads Decoration Inspiration

Colored layers of beads.

Red candles in a jar with beads of clear water.

The beads were lit by submersible LED lights.

Beads with submersible LED light.

Candle in beads

Halloween inspiration – beads in a bowl with spooky props.

A vase of blue beads with a candle in a larger purple bead bowl.

This plant is watered with beads that surround the bottom of the pot.

Water Beads for Plants

Beads are also great for using with herbs. It helps plants conserve water and reduces the amount needed by irrigation plants. They release the water slowly so that the plant does not fill with water.

There are several different methods of using water crystals in plants:

• You can add beads to the bottom of the pot, but if you mix the beads with the soil, the results will be better for better dispersion of the water.
• Water particles can also replace soil with some plants. Bamboo plants work well with beads rather than soil.
• There is only water gel made for plants, or you can use regular beads with them.

Kids will love to touch and feel the gel beads.

Sorting beads

Use beads for science.

Beads make great science themed props.

Children can sort different shapes and colors of beads.

Beads are perfect for mad science parties.

Cold Use for Water Beads # 3

Beads make great “eyeballs” for Halloween when you want to spoil your friends, boxes, or anytime. Add plenty of water to make the beads as large as possible for the best eye effect.

Using Water Beads for Play and Sensory Exploration

It is a really great wear time for beads. Fun to play with kids and great for exploring and learning.

Just don’t let small children who can put the beads in their mouths play with them. They are best for kids 3 and up. You will still need to supervise older children with them. They can be a choking hazard.

Some nice activities and ideas for kids using beads:

• Beads are like magic for kids because the beads start out very small and grow in a matter of hours. Just watching the bead change is a fun activity for young children.
• Playing with beads is perfect for sensory exploration. Let the children feel the beads and feel their texture. Use them in sensory cans and even sensory bottles.
• Beads are perfect for science lessons. They can be a tool to teach more about expansion, solids, and liquids.
• Beads are also great for science parties. Use them for party fun, decoration or even favors.
• You can also include beads in math. Use them for sorting (shape, size, color, etc.), counting, and even measuring.

Sensory Features with Water Beads for Kids

How will you use the water beads?

• I will use them as an easy way to water the plants.
• I will put them in my centers and vases to make them gorgeous.
• Kids will love to use them for sensory play.
• I will try all these great ways to use beads!

Do you know?

Water gel bags are used to rapidly absorb water during floods and other water-related emergencies. A type of water gel is also used in disposable diapers and instant snow.