My Hoberman sphere got locked in the open position. Is it broken or is there a way to close it? I can't find the instructions - hardcopy or online!

Had the same problem; went through and checked that all the pieces were fully clipped and noticed some yellow ‘tabs’ that don’t clip-they sort of act as stops to keep it from opening too far. Some of the tabs were stuck when the sphere had been forced open too far. Fixed the tabs and it closed right down!

How do you contract it once it's locked open? Lost directions.

Hold the sphere at top and bottom and let it collapse. IF hanging it will stay open only. This thing does not lock to the best of my knowledge

Is there a Hoberman sphere that expands larger than 3 feet?

The Mega Sphere expands to 4.5 feet. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005N5FV?ref=myi_title_dp

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Hoberman Original Sphere Rainbow, Expanding and Contracting Geometric Ball Toy, Award-Winning STEM Fidget Toy for Kids and Adults, Ages 4+

Product ID: 1321226

🌈30-inch max expansion

📚STEM learning & motor skills

⚙️award-winning mechanical design

฿5426

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Sold byAmazon ThailandDelivered byDesertcartCustomer service byDesertcartReturns14 days · 30 with PRO

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Description

🌟 Expand your world, one colorful click at a time!

RAINBOW VIBES ONLY - Vibrant multicolor construction that sparks creativity, sensory play, and social sharing among trend-savvy professionals.
STEM PLAY ELEVATED - Hands-on exploration of geometry, motion, and spatial relationships—perfect for curious minds aged 4 to 104.
DURABLE LIGHTWEIGHT - Built for repeated expanding, collapsing, and tossing without wear—ideal for classrooms, offices, and therapy.
ENGINEERING MEETS ART - Iconic, award-winning design by Chuck Hoberman that doubles as a stunning mobile or interactive display.
EXPAND YOUR IMAGINATION - Transforms from compact 9.5" to a mesmerizing 30" sphere for endless kinetic fun.

The Hoberman Original Sphere Rainbow is a compact-to-large expanding geometric ball toy that grows from 9.5" to 30" in diameter. Designed by Chuck Hoberman, this award-winning STEM toy combines mechanical engineering with vibrant rainbow colors to engage users aged 4 to 104. Lightweight and durable, it encourages hands-on learning in geometry, motion, and spatial skills, making it perfect for classrooms, offices, therapy, or stylish home displays.

Specifications

ASIN	B00000JN49
Age Range Description	Kid
Best Sellers Rank	#34,913 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) #287 in Educational Science Kits
Brand Name	John N. Hansen
Color	Multicolor
Customer Reviews	4.7 out of 5 stars 859 Reviews
Educational Objective	stem
Global Trade Identification Number	00021105131147, 00780358101047
Included Components	mobile
Indoor Outdoor Usage	Indoor
Is Assembly Required	No
Item Dimensions	9.5 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches
Item Type Name	Hoberman Original Sphere--Rainbow (Discontinued by manufacturer)
Item Weight	16 ounces
Manufacturer	John N. Hansen Co. Inc.
Manufacturer Maximum Age (MONTHS)	1200.0
Manufacturer Minimum Age (MONTHS)	48.0
Manufacturer Part Number	TED-HS104
Material Type	Plastic
Model Number	HS104
Number of Players	1
Operation Mode	Manual
Power Source	manual
Set Name	Single Hoberman Sphere Toy
Size	Small
Sub Brand	(-)
Subject Character	(-)
Supported Battery Types	No batteries required
Theme	Geometry
UPC	885788960513 885863156466 890418009890 885220147328 885226967777 692000177990 021105131147 885143493595 885863118983 025766201041 780358101047 765635859804 885153049195 885183659128
Unit Count	1.0 Count

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