STEAM for PreSChool and Kindergarten

Build a Straw Rocket

I was recently invited to attend a touch-a-truck event and brought along a fun STEAM activity for children attending to explore science! This Straw Rocket activity was easy and so much fun for children from 3-10 years old. I have to say many of the adults that attended loved this activity too! 

Download the FREE Rocket Template

The main character in my book PLAY! explores many ways to pretend play. She meets friends throughout her day that pretend they are teachers, doctors, and many others. At the end of the book she dreams of being an astronaut. 
​Children love to see me dressed in my astronaut costume when I do events, so the Straw Rocket craft coordinated well with my costume.​

This activity comes together in just a few minutes so it is great for a quick craft or small group activity. It can even be set up in a learning center.

Supplies Needed:

• One paper rocket (cut out) Find the template HERE!
• Clear gift tape
• Crayons 
• 2 Straws of different sizes. (One must fit inside the other.)
• Duct tape, hot glue, or a flat iron for hair

​The larger straw needs one end sealed off. You can do this with hot glue, duct tape, or you can heat seal it with a flat hair iron. I used a flat hair iron on a medium heat setting to tap the end of the straw in between the plates several times to warm it. Then, I used a pliers to pinch the straw closed to make a seal.

Assemble:
First, the child colors their rocket. Next, tape the larger straw that is sealed on one end to the back of the rocket--leaving the open end of the straw at the bottom. The final step for assembly is to insert the smaller straw into the larger straw. The rocket is easier for young children to use if the smaller straw is a bendable straw that is a contrasting color to the larger straw, so they can see which straw to hold onto.

Launching the rocket!
To launch the rocket, you must only hold the smaller straw. I call this one the blaster. The larger rocket straw needs to be able to move freely in order to fly. The child grabs the blaster straw and puffs air into it to launch the rocket straw up into the air.  You can make a fun game of this by measuring how far or how high the rocket goes!