• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Science Facts
  • Science Questions
  • About
    • Emma Vanstone
    • About Science Sparks
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
    • STEM Challenges
    • FREE STEM Challenge Templates
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
  • FREE Science Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
  • Science Resources for Home and School

×
Home » Key Stage 2 Science » A hair raising experiment

A hair raising experiment

Modified: Jan 24, 2023 · Published: Nov 14, 2011 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

Have you ever wondered why if you rub a balloon on your hair it makes your hair stand up on end? It’s all to do with something called static electricity.

It’s also static electricity that sometimes gives you a shock when you touch something metal. The conductive metal discharges any static electricity that has built up on your skin creating a small electrostatic shock.

Childs hair sticking up because of static electricity

To make your hair stand on end all you need to do is blow up a balloon and rub it on your jumper or hair.

Then place the balloon above your hair or some tissue paper and watch the hair or tissue paper become attracted to the balloon.

Investigate

Try recording the time hair stands up for if you rub it across your head, once, 5 times and 10 times.

Do you think there will be a difference?

What is static electricity?

All objects are made of atoms. Inside atoms are protons, electrons and neutrons. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative and neutrons have a neutral charge.

Opposite charges attract each other and like charges repel.

Mostly charges in an object are equal and balanced, static electricity occurs when the charges become imbalanced.

When you rub a balloon on a jumper, you add electrons to the surface of the balloon. Your hair is now more positively charged than the balloon, so when the balloon comes close, the hair is attracted to the balloon and so sticks up on end.

The same explanation works when you stick a static electricity-charged balloon to a wall. Opposite charges attract, so the negatively charged balloon is attracted to the more positive wall.

You could try lots of different items to find out which sticks to the balloon.

More static electricity experiments for kids

Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls shows how to bend water using static electricity.

Try our jumping tissue paper frogs experiment.

Static Electricity Facts

Static electricity is called static electricity because the charge stays in a certain area for a period of time rather than flowing elsewhere.

Lightning is an example of static electricity. Lightning occurs when static electricity builds up in clouds which causes a huge spark to form between the cloud and the ground!

Printers use static electricity to attract the ink to paper.

Electrical components can be very sensitive to static electricity, which is why they are packaged in anti-static bags.

Easy static electricity experiments for kids #scienceforkids #staticelectricity - bend water, stick up hair and more

 

Last Updated on January 24, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

More Key Stage 2 Science

  • Edible Butterfly Life cycle
    Edible Butterfly Life Cycle
  • A balloon blown up and small coin
    Singing Balloon Experiment
  • mini DIY greenhouse made from a plastic bottle
    Easy DIY Mini Greenhouses
  • Does colour affect temperature?

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Mad House

    November 14, 2011 at 8:06 am

    My boys love doing this with baloons

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 14, 2011 at 12:12 pm

      Mine love it too! x

      Reply
  2. Tiger's Mum

    November 15, 2011 at 10:41 pm

    My son loves this. He does it with the balloon whenever he gets the chance to.

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 16, 2011 at 9:39 pm

      My children do it too, but when I tried to explain it I really struggled. Hence the post!

      Reply
  3. maggy,red ted art

    November 16, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    Perfect… I get so many “why why whys…”. I will just read Red Ted this post!

    Thank you for linking to Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy

    Reply
  4. Lindsi B

    November 18, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    Oh we love doing this in our house too! My kids think it is hysterical! And what a fun way to teach a little science too!

    Could you please link up on my Fun Stuff Fridays linky party? I’d love to share this simple and fun idea with my readers.

    http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2011/11/introducing-fun-stuff-fridays.html

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 18, 2011 at 11:29 pm

      Thank you so much, I’ll check out the linky now. xx

      Reply
  5. julianne

    November 19, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    What a fun thing to do! Im a new follower! I’m having a giveaway and i’d love if you checked it out!

    http://sewfantastic.blogspot.com/2011/11/obol-review-and-giveaway.html

    Julianne

    Reply
  6. Amylynn

    November 21, 2011 at 4:28 am

    Did you know if you put the charged balloon next to a stream of water it attracts the water towards the balloon as well. (just a slow tickling stream). Pencil shavings and rice krispies are fun too.

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 23, 2011 at 10:35 pm

      oooh i will try that. Apparently if you charge up a plastic comb and then put it near a metal tap, you see a spark! I have yet to make that work though. x

      Reply
  7. creativejewishmom/sara

    November 24, 2011 at 9:02 pm

    Thanks for the refresher course in static electricity! And of course for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

    Reply
  8. Aimee

    November 26, 2011 at 1:37 am

    My kids love doing this! Thanks for sharing it on The Sunday SHowcase- always great to see your science lessons 🙂

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      November 27, 2011 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks, so glad you like them! x

      Reply
  9. Waqas ahmad

    February 15, 2017 at 11:07 am

    Nice and easy explanation of the whole experiment. Never tried it, but will do it after reading here.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Imagine a world where science education is accessible to everyone and is all about hands-on, exciting discoveries. That’s the world I want to create.

More about me

Around the World in 50 Experiments

50 experiments about countries of the world

Footer

↑ back to top

Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd