The sparking mechanism, can be taken off one of those long barreled lighters!
Just disassemble it, and you got your self that.
I think butane will be a better option, it's thicker, it will sit at the bottom. I agree the light explosive will cause a launch, but not alone, he will need something else.
If you can obtain black powder, and a fuse, than that might work like a cannon.
EDIT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-NmvuAtspwThis might help, just found it, it has the concept of what i'm talking about.