Self Popping Water Balloons
 

I hope someone can help me.

I am trying to find a way get my hands on or create a water balloon that will pop in mid-air when launched or thrown, basically creating a shower effect.

I am not sure if the balloon would have to be modified or if the contents of the balloon would have to be modified. The contents woulds have to be safe and stable.

If anyone has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate some help.

Thanks in Advance....

How about soda? Pour it in, shake vigorously, and throw the rubber grenade. Never tried it myself, but it's probably worth some experimentation.

If you could find a way to pull it off, alka-seltzer tabs in water would probably work.

I forgot how much fun water ballons were as a kid. I might have to go get some:)

The only thing that might screw up the soda or alka seltzer water balloon ideas is how elastic balloons are. So even though the pressure is increasing inside it might not be enough to overcome the stretching capability of the balloon material. Plus, it would take a lot of practice to figure out the timing of how long you would have to hold the balloon before you threw it in order for it to burst while in mid flight.

But all things said it would be very cool if you got it to work, so goo luck!

Tape some cannon fuse to the outside of the balloon. As it burns down to the balloon it should burst it.
Some testing of the burn time of the fuse and time of balloon flight is needed.

Or use a string tied to a trigering device on the balloon to burst it. useing a known string lenth with the other end tied to your side.
A trigering device could be made with a tube, two springs, fireing pin, and something with a sharp point.
The tube needs two ends with holes smaller than the springs and larger than the sharp point. The two springs are one long for fireing or pushing the point out the end to burst the balloon and the other shorter spring to push the point back in so it dosnt hurt someone. The other hole is so a vacume isn't made to slow the point.
A hole or slot in the side of the tube for the firing pin to hold back the point and comprest long spring is need. The string tied to the firing pin pulls it out to fire the point into the balloon to burst it.
The firing pin may cause too much friction to be pulled out by the string so some other way may be need.
This can be reused.

Well, I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for or not...

If you were to take a piece of string and attach it to a washer, then take the washer and glue it to the balloon before you threw it, once the string becomes taut (tied to your wrist or something similar) the ballon should burst. With a small enough washer, you shouldn't really have to worry about anyone getting injured.

Good luck - let us know if you find a workable solution!

Are you sure a water balloon is really the most effective way to create a shower effect? Put your thumb over part of a hose opening and spray it straight up.. or get a hose attachment that makes it into a "shower"...

If you really must use a water balloon, I guess you could use the string idea.. but attach a bobby pin to the string, and put the contraption inside the balloon before you tie it off. If you throw it carefully, a slight jerk on the string will ram the pointy end of the bobby pin right through the wall of the balloon..