Make a Ghost Dance!
Save PDF
October 11, 2024 / DIY / STEM Activities / Marvelous Mechanics Motion / Ages 9 - 12 / Static Electricity Ghost
How can we combine science and art to create a magical and spooky activity for Halloween? Create a ghost castle and think about how to use static electricity to start a terrifying ghost party! Use your imagination to create more scary characters for your party.
- Age: 9-12
- Time: Less than 30 minutes
- Mess Level: Clean
Materials Needed:
- Balloon
- Printable materials
- Double-sided tape
- Scissors
- White tissue paper
- Black marker pen
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Download the printable materials and cut out the printed pattern pieces.
- Attach a small piece of paper to the bottom of the cut-out cards, fold it back, apply double-sided tape, and stick them onto black cardstock.
- Cut out several ghosts from white tissue paper and use the marker to add facial features. Find suitable places for them; pumpkins or vines are good choices.
- Inflate the balloon and rub it back and forth on felt. Then move the balloon over the castle scene. Look! Aren't the ghosts dancing? As night falls, the Halloween party begins!
Tip:
Before sticking, plan and design a scene, thoughtfully arranging the materials on the black cardstock.
The Science Behind It:
When the balloon is rubbed against felt, electrons from the balloon transfer to the felt, making the balloon negatively charged and the felt positively charged. These charges accumulate on the surface of objects, creating attractive or repulsive forces, leading to static electricity phenomena.
Think about it: besides rubbing the balloon on felt, what other methods can you use to generate static electricity? Try rubbing it on your hair and see what happens!
