# How could I make a gag exploding birthday cake? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 18, 2010, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515 "2010-10-18T02:15:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/61 "2010-11-10T01:07:09Z")
Bumping this because I want to know if the OP went through with this, and if so, what happened? ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/62 "2010-11-10T16:34:56Z")
Her birthday is not until December. I’ve got the parts but I haven’t tested it out yet. I need to do that soon. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/63 "2010-11-10T16:55:37Z")
Special Effects guy checking in. You will need the following, which you must conceal under the tablecloth, preferably bolted to the bottom of the table. A small pancake type air compressor, some various valves and tubing and a strong balloon and pipe clamp. Drill a small hole in the table top and run the tubing out of it. Using the hose clamp, attach a strong giant deflated balloon to the tubing. Run the rest of it to the compressor and have a quick release valve in the line somewhere. Attach some monofiliment line to the valve. Cut a hole in your platter and in your cake. Place the assembled cake and platter over the hardware, being certain to feed the balloon into the hole in the bottom of the cake. Now at the last moment pretend to drop something important, like your camera, and when you bend down to retrieve it, grab the mono line and be prepared to yank the release at the last moment. Double up the fun, and the safety by having her wear goggles and running her a line about the cake doing something else strange. Alternatively, you could run the compressor to a screen door cylinder mounted under the platter. When engaged it will launch the cake off the table. 🙂 If you like this idea, search some haunted house forums for examples of how to assemble this device. It’s quite simple. ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/64 "2010-11-10T16:58:35Z")
Hopefully you won’t get sued by her friends parents if your prank goes wrong and they get hurt. Not saying they will but who knows. It’s something to consider although I don’t know what type of cake you are making. It still seems like a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/65 "2010-11-10T17:09:05Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > It’s quite simple. Uh, thanks. I think. 🙂 > [@cherry](#): > > Hopefully you won’t get sued by her friends parents if your prank goes wrong and they get hurt. Not saying they will but who knows. It’s something to consider although I don’t know what type of cake you are making. It still seems like a bad idea. It’s _whipped cream_! Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/66 "2010-11-10T17:21:53Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Uh, thanks. I think. 🙂 > > It’s _whipped cream_! Sheesh. heh. Sorry, I forget not everyone is technically inclined. Think of it like legos. You need an adapter from the compressor to the valve, from valve to hose, and the hose to the cylinder/ ballooon. The cylinder has that little arm that pushes out when it is filled with air. So if you connect it all up, when you pull the valve, it fills with air, and the little arm launches the cake. Whoosh! If you use the balloon, it fills with air fast and explodes the cake. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/67 "2010-11-10T18:36:10Z")
It’s just that drilling a hole in the table top is a little more involved than I’d like, especially since it’s not my table. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/68 "2010-11-10T23:20:13Z")
I think it sounds like a great idea. An easy way to hide the device would be to build a plywood box to present the cake on. It won’t look funny if you decorate it and you can mount everything underneath it. I’d suggest trying to rig it to be remote controlled so it will look less obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/69 "2010-11-10T23:30:17Z")
Good idea. Or do it outside on one of those tables that has an umbrella hole. ---
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/70 "2010-11-12T03:30:35Z")
Get some anti-matter (available in better equipped joke stores)…a few ounces should be just fine… Imagine the look on her face when the exploding cake removes the atmosphere from that side of the planet… ahhh, its fun being an uncle… ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/71 "2010-11-12T14:39:04Z")
I don’t know about special effects, but I do know about knives. Your niece having a knife that is sharp and/or pointy in her hands as she is startled is a bad idea. People have all sorts of different reactions to being startled that may range from just blinking or flinching on up to screaming and throwing what ever is their hands. Parents of other guests might not sue over a little whipped cream, but when their little snowflake gets struck by a sharp object, they’re not quite so forgiving. ---
**Author:** ![Promethea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Promethea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Promethea)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/72 "2010-11-12T14:50:07Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > It’s _whipped cream_! Sheesh. Sure, all over her party-best clothes. And your sister’s walls and floor. Please don’t do this. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/73 "2010-11-13T10:44:44Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > Good idea. Or do it outside on one of those tables that has an **umbrella hole**. Brilliant! Outside, umbrella hole, garden hose, voila! ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/74 "2010-11-13T12:21:34Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > It’s _whipped cream_! Sheesh. > [@Promethea](#): > > Sure, all over her party-best clothes. And your sister’s walls and floor. Please don’t do this. Ants. Flies. Roaches. Just…no.:smack::dubious: ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/75 "2010-11-13T12:43:29Z")
> [@'\[cc](#): > > ;13049019’]This sounds like a really great way to ensure that girl will have trouble making friends for the rest of her life and possibly die without leaving behind heirs. Is your ultimate goal to have your genetic line outbreed your sibling’s? Surely this is a joke? Lot’s of embarrassing things happen when kids are younger. Sure, they may be remembered throughout high school, but it’s not going to matter for very long. And boys, which are the requirement to get heirs, aren’t going to care much at all. And, then, after high school, you aren’t going to be with the same people anyways. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/76 "2010-11-27T04:04:18Z")
I think that the people who are worried about scarring the young lady are some really strange people. Outside of your turning her into some Lizzie Borden, remember to vid it and post it on Youtube. best wishes, hh ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/77 "2010-12-03T05:02:06Z")
Well, I made the apparatus and it works pretty well. I used a rubber bladder that photographers use for blowing dust off their negatives. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like it’ll get used–the current plan is to celebrate her birthday at a restaurant and it’s not worth the hassle to try and set it up. I’ll have to save it for the other niece. ---
**Author:** ![carm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@carm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/78 "2010-12-03T17:12:08Z")
Have the waiter cut it for her. That way everybody wins - she won’t be traumatized, her parents won’t sue, and you won’t have to clean it up! Obviously record, post on youtube and provide link. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/79 "2010-12-05T00:54:58Z")
How old is the other girl? ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515/80 "2010-12-05T17:46:32Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > I’ve got the parts but I haven’t tested it out yet. I need to do that soon. That sounds like a teenage boy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-i-make-a-gag-exploding-birthday-cake/557515.md?page=5)