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Static Electricity Butterfly Experiment

BySarah McClelland Updated on

Discover how static electricity can make a butterfly’s wings move without touching them! This fun and easy static electricity butterfly experiment uses a negatively charged balloon to demonstrate the pull of attraction between opposite charges, making it a perfect hands-on STEM activity for kids.

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Static Electricity Butterfly Experiment

Have you ever seen a butterfly’s wings move without touching them? In this fun static electricity butterfly experiment, we’ll explore the effects of static electricity using a negatively charged balloon and a positively charged tissue paper butterfly! This is an excellent way for kids to learn how electric charges interact.

💡Find various ways to explore Static Electricity here.

Recomended Grade Level: Kindergarten – 4th grade

Supplies:

  • Cardboard square (or piece of cardboard)
  • Lightweight tissue paper (for the tissue paper wings of a butterfly)
  • Cardstock paper (for the butterfly body)
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Googly eyes
  • Pencil and marker
  • Balloon (regular or water balloons)
  • Carpet (or wool cloth for extra static)

Set Up the Static Electricity Butterfly Experiment

Watch the video for instructions:

Step 1: Make the Butterfly

  1. Draw a large butterfly body on the cardstock paper using a pencil.
  2. Cut out the body of the butterfly with scissors.
  3. Draw and cut out butterfly wings from lightweight tissue paper.
  4. Attach the wings to the middle of your butterfly using a glue stick.
  5. Add googly eyes and use a marker to draw a mouth. Decorate the butterfly body, optional.
  6. If desired, cut out two small strips of paper for the antenna and glue them to the top of your butterfly.
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Step 2: Charge the Balloon

  1. Inflate the balloon and tie it.
  2. Rub it on your carpet or hair for about 20 seconds to create a negatively charged balloon.
  3. This rubbing process transfers extra electrons to the balloon, creating an electric charge.

Step 3: Make the Butterfly Move!

  1. Place the butterfly on the square of cardboard.
  2. Hold the balloon near the top of the wings, but don’t touch it!
  3. Watch as the butterfly wings move due to the pull of attraction between the opposite charges.
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How Does Static Electricity Work?

This STEM investigation isn’t just fun; it’s educational. Here’s what you can learn from this simple static electricity butterfly experiment. Plus, you’ll find more ways to play with static electricity below.

  • Objects have an equal number of protons and electrons, making them neutral.
  • When you rub the balloon, it gains extra electrons, making it negatively charged.
  • The positive charge of electricity on the positively charged tissue paper causes it to be attracted to the balloon.
  • This is how static electricity makes objects move without touching them!

Extension Activities

  • Try rubbing the balloon on different materials like wool or silk.
  • Use different balloon sizes and see if the static electricity results change.
  • Experiment with magnetism to compare how it differs from static electricity.

💡 Try our floating magnet experiment with a butterfly cutout!

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More Static Electricity Activities 

💡Find various ways to explore Static Electricity here.

  • Bending Water with Static Electricity – Learn how a static charge from a balloon can pull a stream of water without touching it!
  • Floating Packing Peanuts – Charge a balloon and hold it near lightweight packing peanuts to see them lift and move.
  • Balloon and Aluminum Can Race – Instead of rolling a can by pushing, try pulling it forward by charging a balloon and holding it in front of the can!
  • Sticky Balloon Wall – Charge a balloon and see how long it sticks to different surfaces like a wall, fabric, or ceiling.
  • Static Hair Stand Experiment – Rub a balloon on your hair and watch your hair stand up due to the negative charge of electricity!
  • Attracting Paper Confetti – Charge a balloon and hover it over tiny paper pieces to watch them jump up due to static charge.
  • Repelling Balloons – Inflate two balloons, charge them the same way, and observe how they repel each other due to like charges.
  • Dancing Ring of Aluminum Foil – Cut a thin strip of aluminum foil into a ring, place it on a surface, and hold a charged balloon above it to make it spin and dance!
  • Attracting Water Droplets – Charge a balloon and move it near small water droplets on a smooth surface to see them shift and stretch toward the balloon.
  • Jumping Salt and Pepper Experiment – See how a negatively charged balloon attracts light particles and separates salt from pepper!
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Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources to help you introduce science more effectively to your kids or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

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