I don’t have this exact Thunder Tube–lightening bolt design, but I DO have one the same size–with the Starry Night Design. From my experience, the thunder tube product is an excellent little sound makers to add “color” [i.e. unique voice] to events, parties, shows, get-togethers, rallies, home videos, podcasts, drum circles, and theater performances. With a small flick of the wrist or well-placed finger rub, one can make surprising variety of big sounds–anything from a thunder-like clap to weird alien whizzing–from creaking doors to spooky scratches or a hand saw. There seems no end to the type of sound discoveries that users can make. The holder / player can actually feel the power of the vibrations as the product’s spring dances, activated by the wrist flick or finger rub. NOTE: Science teachers and students would enjoy this product as a “how and why it works” lab.

This is basically a heavyweight cardboard tube with a long metal spring attached to the bottom. When you shake the tube, the sound is amplifies and resonates, making booming “thunder” sounds. A range of other sounds can also be created by running fingers along the spring.

It is a simple invention, but strangely addictive – people young and old like to pick it up and play with it.

It is also surprisingly durable. I’ve had one for over 10 years, and it is still in great shape. In that time, it has been a classroom staple, gone to adult trainings and business meetings, been featured in a couple of elementary school plays, been loaned out for a “haunted house” fundraiser, and is often played with by kids at home. I bought the thing on a whim to get kids’ attention in the classroom (MUCH cooler than a bell or whistle!) but have been surprised by all of the other uses that we’ve found for it.

I recently purchased the tie-dye version as a unique gift for an eleven-year-old girl. It will fill a basket with a tin of “thinking putty”, a set of “jelly marbles” and a few other fun science toys. I must say, it is great for the person who has everything, especially if that person likes to make noise!

If you’re looking for an interesting sound effect, I think you’ll like the Thunder Tube. It definitely creates a unique sound, and that can be varied as much as you want depending on how you move you arm and wrist.