• 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 » Holiday Science » Halloween Science » Making an Eerie Sounds Device!

Making an Eerie Sounds Device!

Modified: Jan 24, 2023 · Published: Oct 24, 2011 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

This is a special device you can make that makes eerie sounds like a creaking door or creaking steps!

Perfect if you’re having a Halloween party or sleepover and want to spook your friends. You could simulate a haunted house!

You will need the following:

A plastic cup

A paperclip

Some wool

Blue tack

Water

Thick tissue or paper towel.

A nail or a little screwdriver

Method

1. Place the blue tack on top of the cup and stick it to the table

2. Using the screwdriver put a hole through the centre of the cup from the inside – the blue tack just acts as a cushion, so you don’t put a hole in your dining table!

3. Cut about 40cm of wool

4. Tie a knot around the centre of the paper clip of the longest side.

5. Thread the other end through the top of the cup and pull so that the paper clip is at the top, with the wool hanging through.

Making an eerie sound device - science sparks
The eerie cup!

6. Cut a piece of paper towel to the size of a £5 note and wet it in water

7. Fold this round the string at the top of the cup and pull it down! (See the video clip) A pocket tissue also works well.

8. You can also make a silly chicken noise it you check out the video!

The Science bit

The cup acts like a soundboard. If you rubbed the towel down the string without it, you would not hear any sound, but the cup amplifies the vibrations created by the movement, and you get the sound!

Last Updated on January 24, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

More Halloween Science

  • static electricity spinning bats science activity
    Spinning Static Paper Bats STEM Challenge
  • FIVE Halloween Science Tricks
  • Paper Towel Under Water Science Experiment – Halloween STEM
  • Top 10 Science Experiments for Halloween

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. Joyce @DinosaursAndOctopuses

    October 26, 2011 at 6:50 am

    This is so cool! You are going to be my go to for all things experimental! Hehe.

    Reply
    • Multiple Mummy

      October 29, 2011 at 12:32 pm

      I hope so! Please come back and have a look at some other experiments. Lots to do on here now.

      Reply
  2. Aleacia

    October 26, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Wow, how cool and with simple materials I have around the house! Thanks for sharing we’re gonna have to try this 🙂
    Aleacia

    Reply
    • Multiple Mummy

      October 29, 2011 at 12:32 pm

      That’s what I loved about it…things you can find and have handy! 🙂

      Reply
  3. maggy, red ted art

    October 26, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Oooh eeeerrriieee indeed. Perfect for these Halloween days. Love it!

    Thank you for joining Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy

    Reply
  4. Multiple Mummy

    October 29, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    Always a pleasure! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Brooke @let kids create

    October 29, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    This is really cool. My girls would enjoy playing with this.

    Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness!

    Reply
  6. Art For Little Hands (@art4littlehands)

    October 30, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    I know I commented on this already, but I don’t see it. I feel bad. I had looked at this before and really liked it. I even shared it on twitter. Well, I love this idea. My kids would get a kick out of it. Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness.

    Reply
  7. Aimee

    November 03, 2011 at 12:51 am

    This blog always amazes me! Love this! Thank you for sharing your ideas with us on The Sunday Showcase

    Reply
  8. creativejewishmom/sara

    November 03, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    that is so interesting, will have to try it! thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

    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