How to Make a Cheap Rocket

A rocket is both a great project for a school project and something creative to do with the kids. The rocket is easily made out of construction paper and there is no need for expensive or dangerous chemicals to make the rocket go off. Just use water and seltzer tablets. In less than an hour, you can make a rocket.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Film canister
• Water
• Seltzer tablets

Instructions

1. Decide how tall you want your rocket to be. The construction paper tube is going to fit around the film canister so width doesn't matter. Cut your construction paper to size and tape it into a tube.

2. Slide the film canister into the tube and tape it in place. The open end of the canister should face out. Leave the lip of the film canister a little outside the tube of construction paper so that you can remove and replace the lid on the canister easily.

3. Cut 4 triangles out of the construction paper. These will be the fins for the rocket. Attach the fins to the bottom or film canister end of the rocket with tape. Cut a circle out of the construction paper and make a cut in the circle from the center to on edge.

4. Cross the edges of the cut on the paper circle together to create a cone and tape the edges in place.

5. Tape the cone into the open end of the construction paper tube. You now have a finished rocket. Break the seltzer tablets into fourths.

6. Turn the rocket upside down and remove the cap from the film canister. Fill the canister about halfway with water and place a fourth of seltzer tablet in the canister.

7. Quickly place the lid back on the canister and set the rocket on a level area for the launching pad. Retreat a safe distance and watch the rocket rise into the air.