How to Make a Simple Smoke Bomb

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Last Updated: October 19, 2024 Approved

Most types of smoke bombs are difficult and dangerous to make. This guide will show you how to make a safe and easy alternative appropriate for all ages. Whether you’re playing a prank or pretending to be a ninja, these smoke bombs are a lot of fun!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making an Egg Bomb

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You can use any small, pointed object, such as a toothpick or a pin. Make the hole wide enough that liquid inside the egg can flow out but not big enough that the egg cracks. Be sure to do this over a bowl or cup to avoid making a mess!
Wiggle your toothpick or pin gently from side to side. Make sure your toothpick or pin is long enough that it reaches at least halfway inside the egg. You may need to repeat this step if you have trouble getting all of the egg out of its shell. If you get any of the liquid on your hands, do not touch your clothing or near your mouth. Raw egg can carry bacteria called Salmonella that can make you very sick.

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It is generally best to blow on the more pointed end of the egg. Try to get as much of the egg’s contents out as you can. Be careful not to let your lips actually touch the shell! Under no circumstances should you attempt to suck the egg out. Remember that raw egg can make you sick!
If you are gentle enough, you can hold the eggshell under a faucet and allow water to flow through the shell. However, an easier alternative is to hold the eggshell in a bowl of warm, soapy water. Be sure to wash your hands and disinfect anything the raw egg may have touched!
The next step will be easier if you tape the bottom. Any type of tape you happen to have should be fine. Don’t use too much tape or your smoke bomb won’t explode properly!
You may need to widen the hole for the funnel to fit. If so, use the same tool you used to make the hole to gently chip a little more shell away. Be very careful not to crack the egg!
You have a few relatively safe choices for your filling. The easiest is plain white flour or talcum (“baby”) powder. You can also make more colorful smoke bombs using dyed flour or crushed sidewalk chalk.^{[1]
X
Research source} If you have trouble with this step, ask someone to hold the egg upright for you while you hold the funnel and pour.
The harder you throw, the bigger your smoke cloud will be. If you don’t want to use your smoke bomb right away, it can be stored for later use. The carton your eggs came in can be a convenient container!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Napkin Bomb

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Don’t use so much water that the napkin is soggy or falling apart. If you don’t have any napkins, you can use a paper towel instead. Make sure that the paper towel is big enough and all one sheet (no perforations).
As with the egg method, you can use flour or talcum powder for white smoke. Or you can make colorful smoke by either dyeing the flour or mixing crushed sidewalk chalk into the baby powder.^{[2]
X
Research source} Be aware that these more colorful methods may leave a stain!
Be very gentle with this step! Make sure there are no tears on the payload end of the bomb. There is no need to let the napkin dry, as a moist napkin is easier to tear through. Just be careful it doesn’t “explode” prematurely!
Just like the egg bombs, the harder you throw your napkin bomb the bigger your smoke cloud will be. Unlike egg bombs, napkin bombs are meant for immediate use. If you try to store a napkin bomb, the twisted end will most likely come apart and your filling will get everywhere.

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Question

Does using flour mean an increased risk of an explosion?

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No, I tried flour and it all went in one spot, so you should try talcum powder instead.

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Are these smoke bombs safe to keep in my pocket when on missions?

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No, because it can explode in your pocket. The color can stain your clothes and the inside of your pocket

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Question

How full do I fill the egg?

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It depends on how big you want the explosion. The more powder, the bigger the explosion.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

You can also get the insides out by mixing them and then sharply tapping the end of the egg opposite to the hole.
For the egg, have fun making it. If you get tense while poking the holes you might break the egg.
Try using duck eggs. They are larger and have a bigger explosion.
If you throw the bomb at the ground, you can escape.
You can also use corn starch as powder.

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Warnings

These smoke bombs will make a mess. Be sure to clean up after yourself!

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Avoid breathing in flour or talcum powder.

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Don't do it too much as it may cause pollution.

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Do not throw your smoke bomb near anyone’s face. Although mostly safe, your “smoke” can trigger serious respiratory symptoms in people with asthma.^{[3]
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