How to Make a Rocket Out of a Paper Towel Tube

Rockets have exerted a fascination on earthbound individuals for centuries, but particularly in the past few decades when interstellar space travel has been made possible. To indulge this sense of wonder in children, however, doesn't require extensive lessons in propulsion or Newton's Laws of Motion. Instead, you can create your own rocket replica out of materials that might otherwise be thrown into the trash, where their educational potential would go to waste.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towel tube
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Markers, pens

Instructions

1. Wrap the paper towel tube in construction paper that has been cut to size and tape the paper firmly into place. This part of the process can be skipped for a lack of construction paper, but it does boost the overall appearance of your final rocket.

2. Cut four, evenly-spaced small slits into one end of the tube, such that they divide the tube into four even sections: one cut at 12 o'clock, another at 9 o'clock and so on. Cut only a small way into the end of the tube: the slits should measure only about two and a half inches in length.

3. Cut out two triangles, which should measure about five inches at the base and four inches in height. Cut a slit into one triangle, from the very apex and heading straight down, so that you cut halfway through the triangle. Cut another slit into the second triangle, from the center of the base straight up to the center of the triangle. These triangles will form the fins of your rocket.

4. Take the triangle with the slit at the bottom, and slide it into two of the pre-cut slits on one end of the tube. Take the second triangle, with the slit cut into its top, and slide it into the two remaining slits of the tube. The two triangles should fit snugly into each other, as their slits lock together into place.

5. Cut out a small circle, four inches in diameter. From the outer edge of the circle, cut a small slit to the very center of the circle. With the slit cut, roll the circle so that it forms a cone. Tape the slit shut with a piece of tape, and tape the cone itself to the top of your paper towel tube.

6. Decorate your final rocket, either with the rocket's names or sponsors.

Tips & Warnings

• Alternatively, you can add fins to your rocket by cutting out smaller triangles, and affixing them directly to the side of your rockets with tape. These fins may detach from your rocket more easily, however.