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Easy Homemade Fireworks: How to Make Firecrackers Without Gunpowder

Buying fireworks or firecrackers -- if they're not illegal in your area -- can be expensive, but making them at home can be less costly and more fun. It also serves as a family project for special occasions like bonfires, the Fourth of July or Halloween. The common way to make firecrackers is with gun powder, shaken from blasting caps, but you can also make them using magnesium ribbon, available online or from hardware stores.

Things You'll Need

LEGO barrels
Magnesium ribbon
Paper duct tape
Matches
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Place the magnesium ribbon on a table, and cut it into 1-inch-long pieces.
- 2
  Fold the cut-up pieces of magnesium ribbon and push them into the LEGO barrels.
- 3
  Roll up a piece of paper duct tape so that it's about the same size as a matchstick. This will act as the fuse to ignite the firecrackers.
- 4
  Place the rolled-up duct tape alongside one of the LEGO barrels, and secure with more duct tape. The rolled-up duct tape should start at the bottom of the barrel and stand up about 1 inch above the barrel.
- 5
  Light the rolled-up duct tape at the top. Watch for the flame creeping down the tape until it reaches the top of the LEGO barrel. When it reaches the LEGO barrel, an explosion takes place. The magnesium ribbon will burn brightly and make a crackling noise -- your firecracker.

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