Toilet-paper ghost night light
A balloon, some toilet paper and glue: once it's dry, you pop out the balloon and you're left with a light little ball that glows like a ghost when you slip an LED light inside.
Age : age 4+, with a grown-up
Materials
- A balloon : Blown up to the size of a melon.
- White toilet paper : About half a roll.
- White PVA glue : Half a glass.
- Half a glass of water : To water down the glue.
- A big paintbrush
- A bowl and something to cover the table
- Black paint or black paper : For the face.
- A battery LED candle or small battery LED fairy lights : Never a real candle.
Steps
Session 1 · dress the balloon
- Blow up the balloon, tie a knot and sit it on a bowl, knot side down, so it doesn't roll away.
- Mix the glue and water half and half.
- Tear the toilet paper into pieces about the size of your hand.
- Brush some glue onto a patch of the balloon, lay a piece of paper on it, then brush over it again to smooth it down.
- Cover the whole balloon except for a circle about 8 cm across around the knot: that's the opening for the light.
- Do 3 or 4 layers in all: the more layers, the sturdier the night light (and the less light it lets through).
- Leave it to dry on the bowl, away from the radiator, for 24 to 48 hours.
Session 2 · the face and the light
- When the ball is hard and dry, the grown-up pops the balloon near the knot: it goes down and comes away from the paper.
- Pull the balloon out through the opening and trim the edge neatly with scissors.
- Draw a ghost's face in pencil: two big eyes and a round mouth or a smile.
- Paint it black, or stick on shapes cut out of black paper, and leave it to dry.
- Set the ball over the lit LED candle, switch off the lights… and the ghost glows!
Toilet paper is made of very fine fibres. With the glue, they stick together and form a stiff shell, but one thin enough to let light through, just like a lampshade.
With a bit of orange paint, you get a glowing pumpkin; with two balloons of different sizes, a whole family of ghosts. You can also draw the face of your favourite character.
If it goes wrong
- The ball gets squashed when you take the balloon out : Wait a bit longer, or add another layer before popping the balloon.
- The paper goes bubbly : Smooth each piece down with the brush, working out from the middle.
- The balloon went down while it was drying : Dry it in a room that isn't too warm, and tie the knot again.
- The light doesn't shine through : A thinner night light next time, or brighter LED fairy lights.
Safety
- LED lights only: a real flame would set the paper alight.
- Bits of popped balloon are dangerous for little ones: the grown-up picks them up straight away.
- Glue is messy: wear an apron and cover the table.