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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Straw Rockets

    Straw Rockets

    February 23, 2017 By Emma Vanstone 2 Comments

    These straw rockets are very easy to make and great fun. You can make them plain or theme in different ways. We’ve made Pterodactyls and rockets!

    They’re also a fantastic introduction to forces, gravity and trajectory!

    Don’t forget I also have a book filled with rocket and space science experiments for kids. This IS Rocket Science is available from Amazon in the UK and book stores in America.

    Straw Rocket Materials

    There are two ways to make these, you can either use a wide straw as the rocket part ( sealed with tape at one end ) or use paper sealed at three ends so the open end fits over the straw.

    • Straw
    • Paper
    • Tape

    or

    • Wide straw
    • Normal Straw
    • Sellotape
    • Paper
    • Card
    • Paper clips
    • Felt tip pens

    How to make a straw rocket

    Paper version

    Cut a small strip of paper, fold in half and seal the top and long side opposite the fold with tape.

    This should fit loosely over the top of your straw.

    Place it over the straw and blow, it should shoot into the air!

    Decorate if you want!

    Straw Version

    Cut the wider straw so you have a segment about one third the length of your normal width straw.

    Completely seal one end of the wide straw with sellotape so no air can pass through it. Check this by blowing down the straw, does any air escape?

    Draw a picture of a rocket or other space object on a piece of paper and use sellotape ( double sided works best ) to attach to the wider straw.

    Place the wider straw onto one end of the normal straw and blow!

    Watch your rocket fly!

    Try pointing the straw at different angles and blowing harder/less hard to see how the flight of the rocket changes.

    Straw Rocket - straw version

    Why does this happen?

    When you blow air down the straw it travels to the end and pushes its way out, taking the rocket straw segment with it as it moves. The harder you blow into the straw the more energy the air has and the further your rocket will fly!

    Straw Rockets

    Change the trajectory

    What happens to your straw rocket if you point it straight up? How far does it fly? Does it fly differently if you point it horizontally?

    There are two forces acting on the straw rocket. Gravity is pulling it down while the force from you blowing the straw is pushing it forward. These two forces combined give a curved movement. A real rocket needs to overcome the gravitational force downwards.

    Extension Activity

    Add some weight to your straw rocket and see if that affects how far it travels, you could use cardboard instead of paper for the rocket or add paper clips!

    Make lots of different themes for your straw shooters, Red Ted Art has some beautiful summer themed straw shooters!

    More Rocket Science for Kids

    If you’ve got kids who love space and rockets, you might like our easy bottle rocket experiment , film canister rocket or squeezy bottle rockets!

    For younger children I’d recommend a rocket mouse! These are great fun for little ones and bigger sibling might enjoy getting involved too!

    How to make a straw rocket - science for kids

    Post contains affiliate links

    Last Updated on April 28, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

    « Stargazing #WeLoveForests
    Build a mobile rocket launch platform »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Harris

      August 29, 2017 at 10:21 pm

      Hello there, I became allowed to submit this opinion utilizing an excellent proxy from https://publicproxy.net/

      Reply

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