Easy Directions to Make Bottle Rockets

A water bottle rocket will demonstrate how a rocket works.

A bottle rocket demonstrates the principle that any rocket uses to propel itself forward. You can make a simple bottle rocket from a plastic water bottle, a few household supplies, and common baking soda and vinegar purchased from a grocery store. Adult supervision is a good idea when firing off your bottle rocket so it doesn't hit anyone or anything.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• 16-ounce plastic water bottle
• Utility knife
• Vinegar
• Toilet paper
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Put a sheet of newspaper on a table. Stand the water bottle on the newspaper. Hold the bottle by the side with one hand. Hold the utility knife with the other hand.

2. Insert the tip of the utility knife into the center of the cap on the water bottle. After making a hole in the cap, twist the knife to smooth out the sides.

3. Remove the cap from the water bottle. Put the cap aside.

4. Pour vinegar into the open mouth of the water bottle. Stop pouring when about a third of the bottle has been filled with vinegar.

5. Tear off a strip of six squares of toilet paper. Place the toilet paper on the newspaper. Sprinkle a thin line of baking soda in the center of the toilet paper, moving from one end of the strip to the other.

6. Fold one end of the toilet paper strip over toward the center. Fold the top side of the toilet paper strip down toward the center. Fold the bottom side of the toilet paper strip up toward the center. Fold the other end of the toilet paper strip over toward the center.

7. Fold the left end of the toilet paper strip over to the right end. Fold the top side of the toilet paper strip down to the bottom side. Smooth down the creases in the toilet paper strip with your fingers.

8. Go outside in your backyard. Drop the toilet paper strip into the open mouth of the water bottle. Quickly screw the cap onto the water bottle. Place your finger against the hole in the cap.

9. Shake the water bottle in a forward, reverse, left and right motion for 10 seconds. Toss the water bottle into the air to see your bottle rocket fly under its own power.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear work gloves if you are concerned about your hands getting hurt when using the utility knife.

• Do not fly your bottle rocket in any public place where there are people around.

References

• YouTube: How To Make a Water Bottle Rocket

Resources

• NASA: Brief History of Rockets