In an effort to achieve greater buy‐in from our learners, simulation technicians are tasked with adding as much realism to our scenarios as possible. Special effects and props are key elements to achieving that realism, but they can be expensive and difficult to obtain. These props and effects can be made quickly and inexpensively and still provide the realism that our learners are looking for. This presentation introduces inexpensive hand tools and materials for creating some of these effects along with the techniques used to construct them.