This is a fun device which uses a mouse trap to set off a firework “burglar alarm”. It can be placed out of sight near where someone will disturb the trip string and — BAM! Watch them jump! A video overview of these instructions is here.
Materials
classic spring mousetrap, string, glue, paint stirrer (or similar), pulling fireworks/booby traps
Tools
Essential: small saw or knife, small clamps or clothespins or books or other weights, pliers, pen or pencil, scissors or knife
Optional: ruler, stapler
Measure and Mark: place the mousetrap lengthwise on one end of the paint stirrer, about 1/8″ from the end. Draw a line across the paint stirrer at both ends of the mousetrap. The line that is 1/8″ from the end will be called “Line A”, and the one that is a mousetrap’s length in from the end will be called “Line B”. Next, measure 1 — 1/2 mousetrap widths from Line B and make another line across the width of the stirrer. This will be “Line C”. If you have a ruler, make the lines, at 1/8″ (Line A), at 4 — 1/8″ (Line B) and at 6 — 3/4″ (Line C)
It would be fun to see videos of people getting “caught” with one of these. Post them to YouTube, and share the address here.
My brother used to nail me with these things all the time. We had a trap war for the better part of a year. I ought to build one just for old-timey sake!