Step-by-step tutorial
Step 1
Firmly press the prongs of the forks together. The forks should stay locked together without you needing to hold onto them.
Step 2
Poke a toothpick between the prongs so it sticks in place. Press hard! (This may take a couple tries.)
Step 3
Try it out! You should be able to balance the toothpick on the end of one finger.
Step 4
For an advanced-level version of this trick, try to get the toothpick to balance on the end of another toothpick. (You can also use a skewer, which is a bit easier to hold onto.)
Learn more
This trick works thanks to the center of mass, AKA the point where an object balances. When something is supported underneath its center of mass, it won’t tip over, even if it really looks like it should.
For an even simpler demonstration of center of mass, grab that butter knife from your boring restaurant place setting. Rest it on top of your index fingers, one on each end, and slowly slide your fingers together (without tipping the knife over!). The point where your fingers meet is the center of mass.