How to Prepare Gel Balls (Orbeez)?

Gel balls are your blaster's ammunition, and preparing them well changes everything. Poorly hydrated balls mean jams and a ruined game. Here's the simple method for perfect gel balls every time.

What are gel balls?

Gel balls, or Orbeez balls, are tiny beads made of a super-absorbent polymer. Sold dehydrated (they look like small grains), they swell in water until they reach their playing size. They are biodegradable, non-toxic and compress on impact.

Soaking step by step

1. Pour the dehydrated balls into a large container — they grow a lot, so leave plenty of room.
2. Add plenty of water (room-temperature tap water works perfectly).
3. Let them soak for about 4 hours. The balls then reach their optimal size of 7 to 8 mm.
4. Drain them carefully before filling your blaster's hopper.

Tip: prepare your balls the night before so you're ready on game day.

The right size: 7-8 mm

This is the key point. Balls that are too small (under-soaked) lack consistency; balls that are too big (over-soaked) risk jamming the mechanism. Aim for 7-8 mm: that's the calibre compatible with most water-bead blasters.

How many balls should you plan for?

A lively session burns through several thousand balls quickly. A 50,000-ball refill guarantees hours of play. The smart habit: always keep a spare refill on hand so you never have to stop the game.

Storage and safety

Keep already-swollen balls in a sealed container, away from heat: they last several days. Dehydrated balls, on the other hand, keep for a very long time.

Important: always keep gel balls out of the reach of young children (choking hazard). At the end of their life, being biodegradable, the balls break down naturally.

With well-prepared balls, your blaster fires at its best — and your games will only be more fun.