My little 4yo Master L is obsessed with rockets, gravity and anything ‘space’ – he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up – be still my beating heart! He wanted me to ‘build’ him a rocket this afternoon but without the time and resources, I decided this activity would suffice. Everything I needed was at home and I can tell you now, he LOVED it! He is one of those kiddies that moves on to the next activity pretty quickly, I am proud to say… NOT with this one! This is so easy to put together & like me, I bet you will have the things required in your house already! Oh and it’s not ‘rocket science’, it’s very easy too lol!
You will need:
A balloon
Wool (you could also use fishing line or string)
A straw
Masking tape or similar
Nikko pen (optional)
2 chairs (you could also tape this from wall to wall)
Tie your wool to one chair (luckily my chairs have holes in the top to tie through, but you could use the masking tape if your’s don’t), then thread the straw onto the wool. Once the straw is in place, tightly secure the string to the other chair.
Then add a piece of tape to the straw, sticky side exposed. This will be used for securing the balloon.
This next step is optional, but I blew up the balloon and drew on a rocket with a nikko pen (much to Master L’s pleasure). Using a permanent nikko pen, your rocket image will last over and over with each ‘flight’.
Blow up a balloon – Master L was eager to do this part. Do not tie the ballon closed. Attach it to the straw using the tape.
Holding the balloon opening tightly with your fingers so the air doesn’t leak out…
Pull the straw back to the end of your launch line and watch it FLY!
This was an activity that was pulled together last minute and was really enjoyable all round : ). Don’t we just love when that happens!?
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Awesome activity! I was looking after 10 kids today and played this with them. They had fun! Thanks for the great idea 🙂
What a great idea!
Will try it with my daughter, an easy option comparing to other spaceship projects!
i will try it with my preschool class.
I have two boys and it would be fun to have a rocket track for each boy so they can race them! I will keep this in mind for the upcoming spring break from school project!
Thanks a million my kids had a great time doing this activity. I turn my class into a racing track, with commentary, instant reply. We had a blast.
nice job!
Wooow!! Thanks for the great idea
The experiment looks great. Just a friendly comment about your instructions. The correct word is “yours” with no apostrophe. Thanks for posting as you have good ideas.
Me encanta todo lo que hacen..GRACIAS