Homemade Science Experiment EYFS: Jumping Frogs

JUMPING FROGS – A STATIC ELECTRICITY EXPERIMENT

Have you ever been shocked when you touch your shopping trolley or zapped when you walk on an escalator? This is caused by something called static electricity. 

Static electricity takes place when energy is stolen from one object and given to another. Balloons and wholly jumpers are two examples of objects which are famous for stealing energy from other objects around them. 

Experiment 1: Crazy hair!

1. Blow up a balloon (you will need this for the next experiment - so don't pop it!)
2. Rub the balloon against your hair (the quicker the better)
3. Look in the mirror! 

This is caused by static electricity. The balloon is stealing charge from your hair causing it stand on end. 

Main Experiment: Jumping Frogs

JUMPING FROGS – A STATIC ELECTRICITY EXPERIMENt

EQUIPMENT

1. Balloon
2. Paper, cut into shapes. We used sugar paper, but tissue paper would also work brilliantly.
3. 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.

HOW DOES THIS STATIC ELECTRICITY EXPERIMENT WORK?

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.

MORE STATIC ELECTRICITY EXPERIMENTS

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?

Try other shapes and themes, like our jumping leaves for Autumn.

Science Kiddo uses static electricity to separate salt and pepper.

Inspiration Laboratories also has a very cool ghost static electricity activity.