When I was a kid, I did something a lot safer... I wrapped a metal paper clip around a wooden pencil with the ends pointing the same way and then stuck it in the outlet... it probably tripped the breaker but I never got shocked (while doing that). Another thing we liked to do was mix milk and pool chlorine in a plastic bottle... it makes a nice pop (can get you hurt if you don't get away fast enough though, after you put the cap back on).