Lest there be any doubt that John and I are, in fact, giant children, here's our new favorite thing:
WACK-A PACK
We found it at the dollar store, and were immediately intrigued by the promise of "self-inflating" balloons.
There are four in each pack, which is nice, because whacking the first one is completely terrifying. We scared ourselves and the cats, then ended up laughing like loons when it finally exploded.
By pack #4 we were pros, though, and decided to take a little video for posterity:
The balloons are filled with sodium bicarbonate and a vial of citric acid, so you can hear the chemical reaction hissing long after the initial bang.
SO FUN.
John's gone back to buy two more packs so far (there are more designs), and we've experimented with snapping the vial in our hands instead of just smacking it, which works even faster/better.
Hehehheheheh.
This has been another episode of two grown adults (and two long-suffering cats) keeping themselves - and the neighbors - entertained.
Now, who wants to whack some balloons?
(Check your local dollar stores; ours was at a Dollar Tree.)
This just might get me to brave the dollar store again (ours is not so pleasant).
ReplyDeleteI love you guys. That is all.
ReplyDeleteI use these in my chemistry class. The show a great endothermic reaction. It's a cheap demonstration, and the kids love it.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I wish I had known about these before I threw the Valentine's cards in the mailbox. Oh well, I guess I'll just find these and keep them all for myself.
ReplyDeleteThose things are awesome! They actually sell them year-round at some of the dollar stores here.
ReplyDeleteI need these, Badly. And I'm going to a dr's appt today which is near a Dollar Tree! *victory screech*
ReplyDeleteI just bought these at the Dollar Tree for my grandchildren - but I HAD to try one for myself! What fun!! I need to buy some more for the kids at church! By the way, I decided that when I turned 50, I was starting my second childhood - only I was going to have more fun this time! I love stuff like this! Gloria
ReplyDeleteI think they have them at Michael's as well. I saw them and then passed. Need to go again so I might grab some if they are still there. (All Valentine's Day stuff is 50% off right now.)
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing. I may now have to go back and get them.
DeleteAnd this is why your blog is one of my favorites to read! Scaring cats, neighbors and one's self with exploding balloons!
ReplyDeleteMUST go find these. Although I'm not sure what the border collie will think about this. She may decide that these are dangerous and are trying to eat us.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I got these for a little part of a gift for kids at my daughter's birthday last year. They all loved them. :)
ReplyDeleteOh I'm going to need those. Nerf gun fights at Christmas, mom throws hissing balloons at you for V-Day. XD
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I need these! I love your video. You and John sound like fun, happy people, which is exactly how I think of you. MOAR videos, please! ;)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these! I actually bought some to send to my nieces and nephews in their Valentine's cards. Let's see if they survive the mailing process.
ReplyDeleteOn a similar vein, about a year ago, a friend sent me a package that included Japanese inflatable boobs
They were so fun we made a video showing the inflation process.
This made me happy to read/see! Did the cats ever come back in the room after the first one?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't know if the same "suggestions" from YouTube come up on everyone's screens after the video runs, but for some unknown reason, there is a copy of the Miranda warning that shows up on mine! Watch out -- the cops may be coming for you two! You'll be charged with balloon rowdiness and excessive fun.
Oh no. I'm going to go spend so much money at the dollar store.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Looks like loads of fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you for making me a bigger hero in my 4-year-old's mind when I get some of these... = )
ReplyDeleteMy dogs are gonna hate me........
ReplyDeleteOh man, thanks so much! My kids are going to love some of these!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared these with us, will be on the hunt tomorrow to grab all the packages I can find at the local store. I wonder if they would work under a someone's seat cushion at work......
ReplyDeleteThis needs to be a thing. I demand to see videos of exploding balloon parties!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! My son's birthday is in a few weeks so I ordered some birthday whack-a-packs from Amazon. Not sure how he will feel about exploding balloons for his 35th, but I'm going to have a blast!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I LOVE your laugh!
ReplyDeleteSecond, I now know what my Jr. Church kids are getting on Sunday!
I seem to remember crackers (no fire-) working that way, it would have been sometime in the 90s...
ReplyDeleteDon't think there were balloons involved, just the explosion.
Big kids of the world unite. Wonder if we can buy these in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to decide if my 3.5 year old kiddo would love that, or if it would terrify him. Either way, it'd make a good story! :D
ReplyDeleteOh, I discovered these several years ago and my nieces LOVE THEM. I need to go grab them some for Valentine's day for sure. I'm glad you figured out what was in them. I was a little concerned that it was something more harmful than citric acid. It's a relief to know it's not. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteJen, thank you so much posting this. I found these and bought a package each for my 2 girls - not to give away, but so they could each blow up 4 of them (or give away unexploded ones if they chose). They were a huge hit!!!!
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