A fantastic ‘magic’ trick you can use to impress your friends. There’s some real science going on behind the fun, although this experiment has nothing to do with food though I’m afraid!

WARNING: If you don’t like the sound of balloons going bang then make sure you get this experiment right the first time! (Or cover up your ears!)

What do I need?

• A Balloon (maybe a few, just in case you pop a couple!)
• A kebab skewer

How do I do it?

STEP1 – Once you’ve blown up and tied the balloon you’ll be able to see at a darker thicker section of the balloon where the balloon skin is less stretched out? That’s where we are going to push the skewer through!

STEP2 – Gently ease the skewer through the balloon, across to the other side!

STEP3 – Look closely for the darker circle of the balloon skin and very gently push the balloon through there!

STEP4 – You’ve done it! Admire your very own balloon kebab!

What’s going on?

The moment you mention to someone that you’re going to put a kebab skewer through a balloon most people cover up their ears! (and think you’re mad!)

So, why doesn’t the balloon pop? Notice how we’re pushing the skewer through the darker parts of the balloon skin. These parts are not as stretched out and are still nice and elastic. So when you gently push the skewer through, the balloon can close up back round it, keep the air in and most importantly, not go bang!

More Fun Please! - Experiment like a real scientist!

Try blowing the balloon up more (so it’s bigger), does this make it more difficult?