Balloon Magic

Explore the unexpected properties of gravity as you and your child have fun playing with balloons.

Balloon Magic

Time

  • 5 to 10 minutes

Materials

  • Balloons

Directions

  1. Your young child is learning about gravity from trial and error. This activity challenges those emerging concepts with unexpected variations. Blow up a few balloons and tie them off.
  2. Rub each one on a wool carpet, sweater, or fur until enough electricity is generated so that when they are placed on the wall, they stick like magic. Note: dispose of all broken balloons immediately, as they pose a serious choke hazard.

Extensions

  • When the balloon is electrified, it can be used to attract and lift your hair.
  • Blow up balloons of different colors and stick them to the wall in similar groupings.
  • Inflate them so that some are larger and sort onto the wall by size.