How to Make a Hole for a Balloon Hovercraft

A hovercraft is an object that hovers or moves above a surface. A balloon hovercraft is made from an old CD, cardboard, pipe and a balloon. Balloon hovercrafts are often used for elementary age science projects. Each hovercraft needs a hole for the air in the balloon to escape. The air that escapes from the hole makes the craft hover.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Balloon hovercraft
• Ruler
• Pen or marker
• Straight pin or needle
• Balloon

1. Turn the CD over after gluing the pipe on. Allow the glue to dry before turning it over. The hovercraft now looks like the bottom of a CD with a small pipe attached to the other side.
2. Locate the center of the CD and pipe with a ruler. Draw an "X" in the center of the CD to mark the horizontal and vertical points. The two intersecting lines mark the exact center of the CD.
3. Select a straight pin or needle. A push pin or thumb tack also work for this step.
4. Puncture the cardboard at the intersecting "X" point. Press the pin or needle all the way through the cardboard.
5. Attach a blown up balloon to the pipe and test the hovercraft. If it is not hovering, widen the hole in the bottom of the cardboard. The more air that escapes from the balloon, the faster and higher the hovercraft moves.