Have you ever had a static shock from a shopping trolley or an escalator? The shock is because of static electricity which can cause materials to attract or repel each other.
A fun way to demonstrate static electricity is by making jumping frogs.
Equipment
Balloon
Paper, cut into shapes. We used sugar paper, but tissue paper would also work brilliantly.
Woolly jumper or hair
Method
Cut up your different types of paper into frog shapes ( or anything else you want to make jump )
Blow up your balloon, and rub it on your jumper or hair. Hold above the frogs, and watch them jump up.
Why it works?
Rubbing the balloon on your jumper or hair, charges it with static electricity, this attracts the frogs making them jump up to the balloon. They will stick until the charge wears off.
Extension Activity
Does it still work if you use normal paper and cardboard?
Can you time how long the Frogs stay stuck for?
If you rub the balloon on your hair for longer do the frogs stick for longer?
Do smaller frogs stick for longer than bigger ones?
Other Static Electricity ideas
Inspiration Laboratories also has a very cool ghost static electricity activity.
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If you take any videos or photos of you and your children doing any of our activities please share on G+ and tag us using #ScienceSparks. I’d love to see and share them around.
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Jumping frogs are such a fun way to learn about static electricity! Love it!
Love this and the frogs are a great idea! Have pinned for future science fun with the boy! Thanks so much for sharing with the pin it party!
Gosh I love the explanations! Fascinating for the kids
This looks so fun and educational at the same time, may have to make time to try this with my kids
Totally gonna do this! It looks like so much fun. Pinned it!
Yeah static balloons! Takes me back to childhood !
Isaac has suddenly taken to science and is full of question after question. I am definitely going to do this with him and have joined your G+ community xx
Brilliant idea! I can imagine my kids squealing with excitement over this one. Will definitely give it a go.
Another fab but simple idea. We have balloons in the cupboard – but am crap at drawing so the boys will have to do that bit. Can’t tell you how many times I think of this blog and your book and your ideas. I WANT to get that shopping basket organized and WILL X
oh i remember doing a similar thing with my plastic ruler and pieces of paper in school. thanks for sharing #pinitparty and featured in tomorrow post x
Greetings from across the pond!
Just wondering, would sugar paper be construction paper in Canada – a heavy kid-friendly paper?
I love this static electricity activity! Pinned to my science for kids board!
A superb idea to fire kids’ imaginations and teach them about static electricity while having fun!
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