Making a straw rocket is a quick and easy activity suitable for kids of all ages. It makes a nice alternative to paper aeroplanes as all you need is some paper and sticky tape. Once you’ve made the rocket, blow down the straw and the rocket will fly into space!
Not got much time or just want the bullet points on how to make these? Click here for the Quick Read Instructions.
How to make a straw rocket
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Materials needed
- paper straws (if you don’t have a straw to hand, just make your own by rolling a tube out of paper).
- plain paper
- scissors
- sticky tape
DIY Straw Rocket Instructions
1. Straw Rocket printable template
Print out or copy the template for your straw rocket pieces. You can find this on my printables page.
If you want to decorate your rocket by colouring it in, do so before you cut out the pieces.
2. Rocket Fuselage
Wrap this rectangle of paper lengthways around your straw, and fasten with a piece of sticky tape.
The fuselage should move easily up and down so don’t make it too tight.
3. Attaching the rocket fins
Cut out the fin pieces from the template, and stick them on to your rocket.
Make sure to fold them along the dashed line, so that they stick up from the rocket’s body.
4. Shape the nose cone
Push your rocket along the straw until the top (not the end with the fins!) is sticking off the straw by about a centimetre (1/2 inch).
Pinch and twist this end into a tip, and use sticky tape to hold it in place and seal any gaps. This will finish your rocket.
How to launch your straw rocket
To send your rocket soaring, simply aim it upwards (at an angle – you don’t want it to come back down on top of you!). Then blow as hard as you can down the straw.
Your rocket should shoot off the end! How high or far can you make it go?
Try a few experiments to improve your rocket now that you know how to make them. What about using a wider straw (you can make different sizes by rolling paper into a tube)? Or try changing the shape of the fins and adding flames
More from Rhubarb and Wren
Looking for more fun things to make and do with the kids? Check out these great activities from Rhubarb and Wren!
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Quick-Read Instructions
For when you just want to get right to the point…
Materials needed:
(these are all Amazon affiliate links – see my ‘About Affiliate links‘ page for more information)
Paper straws
Plain paper
Scissors
Sticky tape
Method:
1. Print out or copy the template for the straw rocket pieces from my printables page.
2. (Optional) Decorate your rocket by colouring it in before you cut out the pieces.
3. Cut out the rectangle ‘rocket fuselage’ piece and wrap it lengthways around the straw, fastening with a piece of sticky tape. Don’t make it too tight – be sure it can easily slide up and down.
4. Cut out the fin pieces from the template, and stick them on to your rocket.
5. Fold the fins along the dashed line, so that they stick up from the rocket’s body.
6. Push the rocket along the straw until the top is sticking off the straw by about a centimetre (1/2 inch).
7. Pinch and twist the protruding end into a tip; use sticky tape to hold it in place and seal any gaps. This will finish your rocket.
8. Launch the rocket by aiming it upwards at an angle. Then blow as hard as you can down the straw.