Science, Tech, Math › Science Dancing Ghost Halloween Science Magic Trick Simple Science Magic Trick Print Make a paper ghost dance in the air as if by magic! This is a great educational Halloween science project. Anne Helmenstine Science Chemistry Activities for Kids Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 11, 2017 This Halloween, make a paper ghost dance in the air, as if by magic! This is a simple and educational holiday science project. Dancing Ghost Materials Light-weight paper works best for this project, such as tissue paper, paper towels, toilet paper or printer paper. Read More Top Halloween Chemistry Projects By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. paperscissorsballoon Make the Ghost Dance! Cut a ghost shape out of the paper. If you can't cut out a ghost or draw one freehand, search Google images for "paper ghost cut-out" and print a pattern.Blow up the balloon and tie it off.Rub the balloon on dry hair.Slowly edge the balloon toward the paper ghost. You can make the ghost move in response to the balloon and even make it dance in the air. How It Works When you rub a balloon on your hair, some of the electrons from your hair move over to the balloon, producing a charge of static electricity. The electrons have a negative charge. They are attracted to objects that have a positive electrical charge, like paper. Even though static electricity is invisible, it is powerful enough to draw the paper toward it. When the paper and balloon come into contact, the charge is neutralized and the paper falls back down. More Projects More Halloween Science ProjectsScience Halloween Jack-o'-LanternsBend Water With Static Electricity Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Dancing Ghost Halloween Science Magic Trick." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/dancing-ghost-halloween-science-magic-trick-607674. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Dancing Ghost Halloween Science Magic Trick. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/dancing-ghost-halloween-science-magic-trick-607674 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Dancing Ghost Halloween Science Magic Trick." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/dancing-ghost-halloween-science-magic-trick-607674 (accessed April 26, 2024). copy citation