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Description

A fun, zero‑mess activity perfect for younger children or anyone who may feel a bit shy. It’s a simple way to explore invisible forces like static electricity while keeping things playful and hands‑on.

Resources

- Tissue paper cut into small “snake” or “ghost” shapes
- Balloons
- A piece of wool or just the children’s own jumpers

Instructions

- Let children choose their tissue-paper shape.
- Give each child a balloon. Get them to hold the balloon firmly and rub it quickly on jumper for 20 seconds. Ask them what they think will happen if we bring the balloon close to the paper snake?”
- Lay the tissue-paper snakes on the table or floor. Hold the balloon just above the shapes but don’t touch them.
- Move the balloon slowly up and down and watch as the snakes lift, wiggle, and stretch toward the balloon.

What Happens:
The snakes will begin to lift, wiggle, and “dance” as they’re drawn toward the balloon by the static charge.
Scouting Connection:
Explain - “When you rub the balloon, it collects tiny charges. These charges pull the light paper snakes up — even though we can’t see the force. That’s static electricity!”
“Static electricity pulls things together — just like Scouting pulls people together to have fun, help each other, and try new things.”

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Badge Links

• Experiment - Experiment