The only materials you need for this fun and informative experiment is a dark room, a fluorescent light bulb and a comb or a woolen scarf. You can let each child participate in this project. Have them go into a dark room with the light bulb, the comb or the scarf. They should then run the comb through their hair about 20 times, or run the comb over the woolen scarf 20 times. Then place the comb on the metal end of the light bulb and watch the filament in the bulb light up. Explain to the children that it is the friction between their hair and the comb that causes the comb to become negatively charged. With the comb being charged, it discharges into the light bulb and causes the bulb to light up.
Kids of all ages can enjoy this balloon project which helps explain static electricity. All you need are some balloons and a woolen or nylon sweater. Blow up balloons in various sizes and tie the ends. Let each child take a balloon and rub it vigorously on top of their hair about 20 times. Next tell them to hold the balloon against their sweater, then let go and watch what happens. The balloon should magically "stick" to their sweater. Explain that this happens due to the different electrical charges formed from rubbing the balloon on their head then applying it to the sweater. Opposite charges attract each other, which will cause the balloon to stick.
All you need for this electronic experiment on conductivity is a size C battery, a piece of aluminum foil and a light bulb from a flashlight. Simply fold the foil several times to make it into a strip about 12 inches long and one-half inch wide. Set the battery on one end of the strip. Hold the metal base of the light bulb to the other end of the battery, then touch the metal base of the light bulb with the aluminum foil strip. As a result, the bulb should light up as the foil strip creates a path for the energy in the battery to follow.
This creative experiment helps to explain electrical charges and is fun for all ages. You will need a box of puffed rice cereal, a plate, an old record and a wool cloth. Pour some of the cereal onto a plate, then rub one side of the record with the wool cloth. Hold the rubbed side of the record over the cereal and watch as the cereal "jumps" when it comes close to the record. Some will even stick to the record. This happens due to static electricity as the oppositely-charged cereal and record are attracted to each other.