Can you make a homemade hovercraft that hovers? Learn about how the hovercraft works and build a DIY hovercraft at home or in the classroom from simple supplies. Play with engineering and science with this easy STEM project for kids!
DIY Hovercraft Engineering Project
Get ready to explore the fascinating world of engineering projects with this hands-on DIY hovercraft project! Hovercrafts are amazing vehicles that glide smoothly over surfaces using a cushion of air.
By building a homemade hovercraft, you’ll dive into key STEM concepts like air pressure, force, and friction while unleashing your creativity. Perfect for young engineers, this project is a fun and interactive way to learn about how engineering designs solve real-world challenges. Let’s start building and see how your hovercraft takes flight!
Leftover balloons? Why not try this balloon and soda experiment, make balloon lungs or even try this fun screaming balloon experiment.
Supplies:
- Balloon
- CD or DVD
- Pop up top
- Hot glue
Instructions:
STEP 1: Hot glue a pop up top to the center of a CD or DVD. Push the top down to close.
STEP 2: Blow up the balloon and twist it closed.
STEP 3: Carefully keeping the balloon twisted, stretch the end over the pop-top.
STEP 4: Now pop open the top and watch your hovercraft travel! Use a smooth surface like a floor or countertop.
TIP: Cover the center hole of the CD with a piece of tape and poke a few holes in the tape with a push-pin or small nail. This will slow down the flow of air and allow your hovercraft to hover longer.
How Does A DIY Hovercraft Work?
A hovercraft is also known as an air cushion vehicle or AVC because it can glide over a smooth surface by hovering on an air cushion. Hovercraft can travel over land, water, mud, ice and other surfaces.
Hovercraft use blowers to produce a large volume of air below the hull, or air cushion. The difference between the higher pressure air below the hull and the lower pressure of the air above it produces lift. That is what causes the hull to float above the surface.
Find out how to build a mini hovercraft below with our free printable project. Here you will use a balloon to increase the volume of air below the a CD hovercraft and lift it. Make sure to download the free printable hovercraft project below and let’s get started!
More STEM Activities for Kids
When you have finished building a hovercraft, why not check out one or more of these fun STEM projects below!
💡Check out our “Things that Go” resource!
Build a windmill from simple supplies.
Make your own homemade air cannon and blast down dominoes.
Make a homemade magnifying glass for simple physics.
Build a solar oven and toast some s’mores.
Construct a working Archimedes screw simple machine.
Make a paper helicopter and explore motion in action.
Be inspired by famous aviator Amelia Earhart and design your own paper plane launcher.
Make your own paper Eiffel tower with only tape, newspaper and a pencil.
Make this super simple water wheel from paper cups and a straw.
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.
80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack!
