Rainbow Putty Balls

Rainbow Putty Balls are for the kids who would rather squish a party favor than admire it. Each little 1 5/8-inch plastic ball holds sparkling, gooey putty, and you get a dozen to hand around at a birthday party. Hand one to a kid at a party and the routine is simple: open it, poke it, stretch it, mold something questionable, repeat. The rainbow shimmer gives it more personality than a plain lump of putty, without needing batteries or an instruction manual.

This is a good fit for party bags or a small desk-side kneading distraction, provided you respect the goo. Keep it away from clothing, since it can stain, and put it back in its container when you’re done so it doesn’t harden. A sunny windowsill is a poor storage spot, too: heat can make it ooze even inside the ball. Fun to fiddle with, less fun to neglect.