I JUST WANT TO EXPLODE – Needle Through Balloon
1st Angle
2nd Angle
What you need:
- Balloon
- Big needle – (While you can use most upholstery needles or even very sharp skewers I recommend the actual magic version that can be found on Amazon.com using the link below as it is less likely to pop the balloons…)
- Oil
Demonstration:
- You can order a special needle online from various magic shops or you can just purchase an upholstery needle from Wal-Mart or other such sources.
- Putting oil on the needle before trying this experiment will make your success rate much higher.
- Get the largest balloon you can (12″ and up) and blow it up about halfway. Insert the needle into either of the soft spots of the balloon which are located right next to the opening which you blow into and the opposite end of the balloon where you can see a slight dimple.
- Go completely through the balloon and out the other soft spot. At this point the balloon may start losing air slightly so you may have to make your final point rather quickly.
- Pull out the needle and then show that it is real by popping the balloon with it.
Lesson:
This object lesson can be used to illustrate quite a few different points.
- With God all things are possible(Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me):
- It’s just not possible to mix balloons and needles without bad things happening but with God’s help, all things are possible. Proceed with your demonstration.
- Miracles:
- State that normally when you prick a balloon with a needle it will burst. Give an illustration. (If appropriate you could tell the children why it bursts, by talking about air pressure, rapid flow of air to the hole etc.). State that God can overcome or suspend the natural physical laws of the Universe. He can do miracles. Proceed with your demonstration.
- What can satisfy you?
- Inflate about four or five balloons, and write on them things which people think would give lasting satisfaction such as sports, money, etc. On the last one write Jesus. Keep the balloons out of sight until required. Produce the balloons one at a time and talk about how you once thought that money etc would really satisfy you but in the end you found it wasn’t really what you were searching for. It let you down. Burst the balloon with your pin or needle. Proceed until you are left with the Jesus balloon. Explain that this is what you have always been searching for, and that you have found that He will never let you down. Proceed with your demonstration.
You will definitely want to practice this lesson at home several times before doing it live as you will likely make some mistakes initially.
