In the wizarding world, this spell can blast or repel spiders. Harry uses it when he and Ron are trying to get away from Aragog’s spiders in the Forbidden Forest (Chamber of Secrets). 

For our activity, we are going to make a balloon spider and then repel it with static. Rubbing a balloon on your hair (or sweater) transfers electrons to the balloon and makes it negatively charged. Electrical charges create forces that can repel or attract each other if they are the same or different. Here we will give both balloons a negative charge so they will repel each other. 

Here is what to do, 

  1. Gather supplies
    • 2 balloons
    • Piece of string and tape
    • Optional, decorating supplies to make a spider (marker, construction paper, etc.)
  2. Blow up one balloon and decorate it as a spider (optional, but fun!)
  3. Hang this balloon from the ceiling with a piece of string and tape
  4. Blow up the second balloon.
  5. Rub both balloons in your hair (or on a sweater). 
  6. Hold the second balloon close to the spider balloon without touching it. Watch one balloon repel the other.

Watch here: