Kids love building things that move! Plus, it’s even more fun if you can make a car go without pushing it or by adding a motor. Instead, find out how to make this fun balloon powered car and test out how far you can make it travel. A balloon car is an awesome physics and engineering activity for your next STEM project.
Balloon Car Project
Get ready to add this simple balloon car project to your STEM activities this season. If you want to find out how a balloon powered car works and how to make your own, read on! While you’re at it, make sure to check out other fun physics activities.
Our STEM projects are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up, quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are heaps of fun! Plus, our supplies lists usually contain only free or cheap materials you can source from home!
Here you can make your own car from a combination of simple household items. Come up with your own balloon car designs, or try ours below!
The challenge is on… your car must have four wheels and only get its power from the energy stored in the balloon!
Try our LEGO balloon car for a fun alternative!
What Is STEM For Kids?
So you might ask, what does STEM actually stand for? STEM is science, technology, engineering, and math. The most important thing you can take away from this, is that STEM is for everyone!
Yes, kids of all ages can work on STEM projects and enjoy STEM lessons. STEM activities are great for group work, too!
STEM is everywhere! Just look around. The simple fact that STEM surrounds us is why it’s so important for kids to be a part of, use, and understand STEM.
Interested in STEM plus ART? Check out all our STEAM Activities!
From the buildings you see in town, the bridges that connect places, the computers we use, the software programs that go with them, and compasses for navigation, STEM is what makes it all possible.
Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Engineering Design Process Explained
- What Is An Engineer
- Engineering Vocab
- Real World STEM
- Questions for Reflection (get them talking about it!)
- BEST STEM Books for Kids
- 14 Engineering Books for Kids
- Jr. Engineer Challenge Calendar (Free)
- Must Have STEM Supplies List
- Join us in the Club
How Does A Balloon Car Work
To start, the user inflates the balloon with air. The balloon acts as a temporary energy storage device, storing potential energy in the form of compressed air inside.
When the user releases the air, the compressed air inside the balloon starts to escape rapidly through the opening. This escaping air creates an outward flow in one direction according to Newton’s third law of motion.
For every action of air escaping, there is an equal and opposite reaction, which propels the car forward, making the car go!
Turn It Into A Science Project
Science projects are an excellent tool for older kiddos to show what they know about science! Plus, they can be used in all sorts of environments, including classrooms, homeschools, and groups.
Kids can take everything they have learned about using the scientific method, stating a hypothesis, choosing variables, making observations and analyzing and presenting data.
Want to turn one of these experiments into an awesome science fair project? Check out these helpful resources.
Get your FREE printable balloon car project!
How To Make A Balloon Car
Similar to how a balloon car works, try this awesome balloon rocket!
Supplies:
- Balloon
- Lollipop sticks
- Toilet paper tube
- Hole puncher
- Hot glue gun
- Tape
- Straws
- Scissors
- 4 Bottle tops
Instructions:
STEP 1: Cut off two lollipop sticks and hot glue the sticks to two bottle tops.
STEP 2: Use the hole puncher to punch four holes in the toilet paper tube to attach the wheels.
TIP: Check out more fun ways to use toilet paper tubes with these cardboard tube STEM activities!
STEP 3: Stick the lollipop sticks through the holes, and then glue on the remaining two tops/wheels.
STEP 4: Punch another hole in the top of the tube near the front of the car and stick a straw through the hole.
STEP 5: Tape a balloon to the end of the straw.
STEP 7: Now blow through the straw to inflate the balloon.
Set down the car while holding the straw closed, then let go and watch the fun! How far can your car go?
More Fun Things To Build
- Make a rubber band car.
- Construct a cardboard marble run.
- Build the best popsicle stick catapult.
- A marble roller coaster is fun to make.
- Build your own solar oven.
- Build a simple robot car.
- Make a water clock.
Printable STEM Activities Pack for Kids
80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack!
- Full instructions with sample images
- Activity-specific instruction sheets
- Data Collection Sheets
- Questions for Reflection
- Architecture Building Cards: Try the tallest tower challenge
- Bridge Building Cards: Explore different types of bridges to build your own.
- Paper Chain STEM Challenge: Who can make the longest chain? Great icebreaker or quick challenge!
- 3 Little Pigs Architectural Pack: Design a house that won’t blow away!
- Great marshmallow challenge: A classic challenge kids love!
- Real-world STEM challenge lesson but don’t know where to start? Our easy-to-follow template shows the steps!
- What’s the difference between a scientist and an engineer?
- Crossword and word search with engineering vocabulary.
- Engineering vocabulary cards
- Design a one-of-a-kind invention and write about it with this 5-page activity!
