Investigate Paranormal Activity
Conduct a science-style paranormal investigation at home using a flashlight, notebook, camera, and sensors to observe, test natural explanations, and record findings.
Step-by-step guide to investigate paranormal activity
Psychic Kids (A&E) Children Of The Paranormal - Peri Zarrella and Ryan Michaels | A&E
Step 1
Choose one room or corner in your home to investigate as your paranormal test area.
Step 2
Gather the materials listed and bring them to your chosen spot.
Step 3
Inspect the area with your flashlight for loose items drafts or things that could move on their own.
Step 4
Pick one small spot to watch and mark it with masking tape or a small object.
Step 5
Set the camera on a steady surface so it points at the marked spot.
Step 6
Start the camera recording or set it to take photos at regular intervals.
Step 7
Turn on your sensor device and wait until the readings look steady.
Step 8
Write the baseline sensor readings and the current time into your notebook.
Step 9
Turn off the room lights and sit quietly in the room for five minutes while the camera records.
Step 10
Slowly sweep the flashlight across the area for one minute while watching for movement.
Step 11
Create a simple test by turning on a fan or opening a window for thirty seconds.
Step 12
Stop the fan or close the window after thirty seconds to finish the test.
Step 13
Review the camera footage and the sensor readings for any changes that happened during your test.
Step 14
Write a one-sentence conclusion in your notebook saying whether a natural cause explains what you observed.
Step 15
Share your photos notes and your one-sentence conclusion on DIY.org to show your finished paranormal investigation.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of the specialized 'sensor device' if we can't find one?
If you don't have the listed sensor device, use a smartphone app (sound meter, accelerometer, or thermometer) and record those baseline readings and the current time in your notebook as the instructions direct.
What should we do if the camera footage is blurry or the sensor readings keep changing during the five-minute test?
If the camera is shaky or the sensor drifts, put the camera on a heavier steady surface or small tripod, check and replace batteries, re-inspect the area for loose items or drafts, then re-start the sensor and write a fresh baseline before repeating the recording.
How can we adapt the steps for younger kids or make it more challenging for older kids?
For young children have an adult handle the camera setup, flashlight sweep, and fan test while the child watches and helps mark the spot and write the one-sentence conclusion, whereas older kids can add extra test conditions, log detailed sensor changes in the notebook, and compare multiple recordings.
What are simple ways to extend or personalize this paranormal investigation activity?
To extend the activity, repeat the camera and sensor sequence in different rooms, add time-stamped photos and labeled notebook charts comparing baseline and test readings, and customize your DIY.org post with annotated footage and your final one-sentence conclusion.
Watch videos on how to investigate paranormal activity
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PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
12-Year-Old Tormented by Evil Spirit (S3, E1) | Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal | Full Ep.
3 Paranormal Experiences Explained by Science
Facts about scientific investigation and critical thinking
⚡ Everyday wiring, appliances, and phones produce low-level electromagnetic fields that can register on common sensors.
🔦 Most modern flashlights use LEDs and can run for many hours on a single set of batteries — perfect for safe night observations.
📷 Night-vision and infrared cameras can detect wavelengths humans can't see, which is why investigators often use them.
🧪 Parapsychology is the study of reported psychic or paranormal phenomena, but it remains controversial in mainstream science.
👻 The TV show "Ghost Hunters" (premiered 2004) helped spark a wave of amateur home paranormal investigations.
How do you do a home paranormal investigation like a scientist?
What materials do I need to investigate paranormal activity at home?
What ages is a home paranormal investigation suitable for?
What safety tips should families follow during a paranormal investigation?
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