DIY: Making Paper Rockets | Tinkerer Box Blog

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Making Paper Rockets

Stem Activities

Ages: 6-8

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Have you ever played with toy rockets or watched real rocket launches on television? In this project, you'll create simple rockets using paper, tape, and straws, and explore how fin design affects how far your rocket can fly.

Materials Needed

Coloured card paper
drinking straws
scissors
clear tape
double-sided tape
pencil
ruler

An assortment of craft supplies lies on a light woodgrain table, arranged for a project. The items include a large sheet of bright yellow construction paper, a group of four colorful drinking straws (orange and yellow), a roll of clear tape, a roll of double-sided tape, a pair of small blue scissors, a gray pencil, and a clear plastic ruler.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Fold the card paper in half twice.

Two hands are folding a piece of light blue paper in half against a light woodgrain background. The paper is oriented in a landscape position, and the right side is being folded over to meet the left. The hands hold the paper near the top and bottom edges of the fold.

Step 2

Using scissors, cut along the fold lines to divide the card paper into four pieces. This will allow you to make four rockets.

Two hands are shown cutting a folded piece of light blue paper with scissors against a light woodgrain background. The paper is folded in half, and the scissors are making a cut from the folded edge towards the open edges. The left hand holds the paper, and the right hand operates the scissors.

Step 3

Roll the card paper into a tube and secure it with double-sided tape.

Two hands fold a rectangular piece of light blue paper in half lengthwise against a light woodgrain background. The top edge of the paper has a slightly darker blue band where it was previously folded. The hands hold the paper near the short ends, pinching the folded edge together.

Step 4

Fold one end of the paper tube as shown and seal it with tape.

Two hands are shown applying a piece of clear tape to the end of a light blue folded piece of paper. The background is a light woodgrain surface. The left hand holds the paper, while the right hand holds the tape, which is partially attached to the paper's end. The tape is being peeled back from its roll.

Step 5

Next, fold the card paper in half. The base of the triangle should be about 8cm. Make marks at 3.5cm and 4.5cm in the middle. Use scissors to cut a triangle from the folded card paper at the corner.

A bright yellow piece of rectangular paper rests on a light woodgrain table. The paper is positioned diagonally. Two lines with measurements indicate a section at the top edge of the paper. One line labeled 8cm spans a portion of the top edge, and a shorter perpendicular line labeled 1cm extends down from the midpoint of the 8cm line. This suggests markings for a cut or fold.

Step 6

Fold the cut triangle along the marked points.

Two hands are folding a bright yellow piece of paper on a light woodgrain table. The paper is being folded into a triangular shape. The left hand holds the base of the triangle, while the right hand folds the top corner down. A dotted line is visible along the fold line.

Step 7

Then, attach the middle of the triangle at the 1cm mark to the rocket body.

Two hands hold a light blue paper straw with a bright yellow paper triangle attached near one end. The straw appears to be made from rolled paper, and a small piece of white tape is visible near the open end. The yellow triangle is positioned to resemble the fins of a rocket or dart. The hands are manipulating the yellow triangle, seemingly attaching or adjusting it onto the straw. The background is a light woodgrain surface.

Step 8

Now, place your paper rocket on the straw.

Two hands are assembling a toy rocket or projectile. The left hand holds a pale blue paper straw with a bright yellow triangular fin attached. The right hand holds a flexible orange straw and is inserting it into the open end of the blue straw. The background is a light woodgrain surface.

Step 9

Blow through the straw and see how far your rocket can fly!

A simple straw rocket is launched using another straw. The rocket consists of a light blue drinking straw with a yellow triangular fin attached. An orange straw is used to blow air into the rocket, propelling it upwards against a white background. The rocket spins and tumbles as it flies through the air. A second rocket, identical in construction but with a red fin, is subsequently launched in the same manner. A popping sound is heard as the rockets are launched.

The Science Behind It:

Try making a rocket without fins and compare it with a rocket that has fins. Make sure to test them under the same conditions, such as the same location and blowing force. Compare the flight distances of both rockets - what do you notice?

A rocket without fins might briefly fly straight when first launched, but it will quickly lose control due to lack of stability, potentially rolling or veering off course. In contrast, a rocket with fins should fly further and maintain a straighter path because it's more stable.

You can also try designing fins of different shapes and sizes and observe how these designs affect your rocket's stability and flight distance. Which fin design makes your rocket fly the furthest?

Who Are We?

We’re a passionate team of scientists, engineers, and educators dedicated to delivering hands-on fun. Our mission is to inspire creativity and confidence in the next generation of young innovators.