I make puppets for kids in the local community, and I've started making ones that need LARGE eyeballs - 3" eyeballs to be exact.

I've been using those styrofoam craft balls from the dollar store, cut in half, up until now, but they get damaged too easily.

THE PERFECT find for me would be some kind of 3" foam (not styrofoam) balls (EXACTLY like practice golf balls, only bigger) that cost a dollar each or less.

It would be even more ideal if they were white, but I can paint them in any case.

Does anyone have any ideas for what I can use and/or where I might find something like this?

Thank you!
 

Welcome to Puppets and Stuff................... Here are some suggestions.



http://www.dollartree.com/new-arrivals-seasonal/Spring-and-Summer-Toys/High-Bouncing-Rubber-Balls-3-ct-Packs/215c334c334p299901/index.pro

http://www.hasbro.com/shop/details.cfm?guid=9337A039-6D40-1014-8BF0-9EFBF894F9D4&product_id=19026&src=endeca

http://www.amazon.com/Nerf-Refill-Value-Pack-Ballistic/dp/B0014DRI5W/ref=pd_sbs_t_4

http://www.plasteelcorp.com/foamshapes/category/balls.html

Billy D.

Thanks Billy.  My concern with the nerf stuff is that it would be too tear-able (compared to a denser foam, like with practice golf balls) - i think if a child grabbed at it, it would likely rip fairly easily?

I'm a bit confused about "smoothfoam" - is this just as hard/compact as the styrofoam I've been using, but with a less porous (more continuous) surface?

My main issue with the styrofoams is not that they often don't appear totally smooth/continuous, but that they are so easily dented, scrapped, pushed in etc.  The reason I'm after a more durable type of foam (like the golf balls) is that even if you push on it, it reforms back to its original shape.  
(So they're more kid-friendly)

Thanks again for the suggestions - I'll swing by Toys R Us and check out the quality of nerf these days.
 

You could also cover you styrofoam forms that you use now in a couple layers of paper mache'.  Then paint them white.  Smooths them out and makes them more durable.

Are you making toys (you said for kids)?  If so you need something that is hard and attached so it will not pull off.

Do they even make post-style dome eyes that big? Or would flat eyes suffice? If flat are good, there are some to be found. Let me see if I can bring up the website where I saw them.

Ok this site sells post style comical eyes in sizes up to 88 mm which I think would be pretty big... here's the link to check it out, http://lisa.staton.home.insightbb.com/ComicalEyes.htm

thanks for sharing!

Billy D.

You're welcome I love helping out with information when I have it to give since you all have been so helpful to me since I first started here!

~Nate

I just ordered three sizes of the polystyrene balls from plasteelcorp... expanded polystyrene is a nice material; where I work we deal with it in thin sheets for signs. It's nice and smooth and has a great surface and coloring, should be terrific for eyes!