This trick does take time to prepare, but gives the people who don’t give candy cause to fret thinking that someone has left them a messy trick. The cans look like the contents are fizzing out at first glance on a dark Halloween night, but actually it’s a cleverly made stage prop.

Frothing soda cans need to be made a day or two in advance of Halloween.

To make a fizzing can Halloween trick you will need...

Some empty drinks cans that formerly contained a fizzy drink,

A tin of Expanding Foam,

And a few old plastic carrier bags.

First you need to rinse the cans to remove any sticky residue. Shake them dry. There’s no need to dry them properly and the foam needs the surface to be wet. If you want to add some dents to the can, this can add a bit more realism to the finished prop.

You need to decide if your tin can will be laying down and foaming or if it is going to be stood upright. Spread out a carrier bag on a table to protect it from the foam, and place you can on the bag, either stood up or laying down.

Follow the instructions on the can to set up the nozzle on the expanding foam, and shake well.

Then insert the nozzle into the soda can and spray the foam in. You’re not trying to fill the can, but to simply give the foam some anchorage on the inside of the can. Whilst still spraying, let the nozzle come out of the can and foam down the side, or around in front.

Remember less is more – the foam expands. Even a small amount of foam will expand into a larger amount of foam. If you over do it, it looses its realistic look.

Leave the can for a couple of hours to form a hardened skin. When you feel able, pick up the can and carefully peel off the carrier bag from the foam and leave upside down to dry the underside.

Leave the prop to one side for 24 hours to completely dry.

Hide the trick in the bottom of your Halloween goody bag. This keeps it hidden from people who you want to play tricks on, and it means that you have it with you ready for action for those Halloween party poopers.