**Jumping crackers** or Jumping jacks are a type of [firecracker](Firecracker.html "Firecracker"). When lit each segment loudly pops (or bangs, depending on how much paper is used) and has a nasty habit to unpredictably jump around, (hence the name) changing direction with each bang.

They were a common firework available in assortments in the 1930's from such companies as Brocks. They were subsequently banned for their unpredictable nature.

## Materials

**Kraft paper**

You will need some kraft paper around 30-50 lbs in thickness.

**Propellant**

[Meal powder](Meal_-_Black_powder.html "Meal - Black powder"), a few percents of [dextrin](Dextrin.html "Dextrin") can be added, however not necessary.

**Other**

Fuse, preferably [visco fuse](Visco_fuse.html "Visco fuse"), but [black match](Black_match.html "Black match") or [touchpaper](Touchpaper.html "Touchpaper") can substitute. Also a paint brush, water, glue, and string is needed.

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|## Method|
|[![Click for larger image](images/thumb/8/88/Strips_1.jpg/151px-Strips_1.jpg)](Image_Strips_1.jpg.html "Click for larger image")<br><br>[![](skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png)](Image_Strips_1.jpg.html "Enlarge")<br><br>Click for larger image<br><br>A jumping cracker is made of a craft paper strip roughly 6 cm by 25cm. It is also possible to use a longer strip, this will result in more cracks (or "jumps"). First a line of wet [meal powder](Meal_-_Black_powder.html "Meal - Black powder") is applied with a small paint brush along the longer edge of the strip of kraft paper, which is then wound several times and glued.|
|[![Click for larger image](images/thumb/e/ee/Strips_2.jpg/151px-Strips_2.jpg)](Image_Strips_2.jpg.html "Click for larger image")<br><br>[![](skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png)](Image_Strips_2.jpg.html "Enlarge")<br><br>Click for larger image<br><br>It looks much like quick match tube. One end is then bent, thus making an end chamber.|
|[![Click for larger image](images/thumb/b/b8/Strips_3.jpg/151px-Strips_3.jpg)](Image_Strips_3.jpg.html "Click for larger image")<br><br>[![](skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png)](Image_Strips_3.jpg.html "Enlarge")<br><br>Click for larger image<br><br>The tube is now zig-zagged as many times as the length allows and a piece of fuse stuck into the opposite open end.|
|[![Click for larger image](images/thumb/b/b7/Strips_4.jpg/151px-Strips_4.jpg)](Image_Strips_4.jpg.html "Click for larger image")<br><br>[![](skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png)](Image_Strips_4.jpg.html "Enlarge")<br><br>Click for larger image<br><br>A piece of twine or string is then tightly wound around the center and criss-crossed around each segment of the snake-looking device. It is then left to dry for a day or more.<br><br>When lit, each segment loudly pops (or bangs, depending on how much paper is used) and has a nasty habit to unpredictably jump around (hence the name) changing direction with each bang.|