Reindeer Rocket Craft for Kids | Straw Rocket STEM Activity

Try this simple reindeer rocket craft for a fun Winter or Christmas STEM activity kids can make in minutes. Using our free printable and a straw, kids create a fun paper rocket and explore force and motion. This easy holiday STEM project is perfect for classrooms, STEM centers, and at-home winter or Christmas activities.

Easy Straw Reindeer Rocket for Physics

A reindeer rocket is a fun and easy way to demonstrate a key physics concept! A rocket moves forward when air pushes out behind it. Blowing through the straw creates thrust that launches the reindeer forward. Changing the angle, force, or rocket design affects how far and how straight the straw and paper rocket travels. Read more about this below!

💡 Kids can test different variables, observe results, and improve their rockets just like real engineers do with the engineering design process. This is an easy craft-and-science activity for grades 1-3.

Supplies Needed

Reindeer Rocket Template (see below)
Straw
Paper or cardstock
Scissors
Tape
Coloring utensils (markers, crayons, or pencils)

How to Make a Reindeer Rocket

This reindeer rocket activity follows our traditional straw rocket guidelines.

STEP 1:

Print the reindeer rocket template.

STEP 2:

Color and cut out your reindeer rocket.

STEP 3:

Make a paper tube slightly larger than your straw.
Wrap a small rectangle of paper around a pencil, tape the seam, and slide it off the pencil.

roll a paper tube to create the base for the paper rocket

STEP 4:

Pinch and fold one end of the tube, then tape it closed.
This sealed end helps trap the air and create thrust.

fold down one end of the paper tube that will slip onto the straw

this is what the paper tube looks like on the straw

STEP 5:

Tape your reindeer cutout to the tube.

attach the reindeer rocket cutout to the paper tube

STEP 6:

Place the tube over the straw and blow to launch your reindeer rocket!
Kids can experiment with angle, force, and distance.

slide the reindeer rocket paper tube onto the straw and give it a go!

More Science Behind the Reindeer Rocket

A straw rocket works because of Newton’s Third Law of Motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When kids blow into the straw, they push air out rapidly. That air pushes back against the sealed paper tube, sending the reindeer rocket forward. This simple Christmas rocket is an excellent way to explore force, motion, and changes in speed and direction.

The activity also encourages kids to test different variables—such as launch angle, blowing force, or rocket design—and see how those changes affect the rocket’s motion.

Helpful resources:

NGSS Guiding Questions & Simple Answers

1. What makes the reindeer rocket move?
When you blow into the straw, air pushes out quickly. This creates a force that pushes the rocket forward.

2. How does changing the angle of the rocket change its path?
If you point the rocket straight ahead, it travels forward. Tilt it upward, and it travels in an arc. Tilt it downward, and it drops more quickly.

3. What happens if we change the rocket’s weight or shape?
A heavier rocket might not travel as far because it needs more force. A lighter or sleeker rocket may fly farther or straighter.

4. How can we make the rocket go farther?
Kids can blow harder, adjust the angle, or redesign the rocket using lighter materials. Engineers test one idea at a time to improve performance.

5. What did we observe about how the rocket moves?
Kids can describe how fast it went, whether it traveled straight or curved, and which design flew the farthest.

More Rocket Facts for Kids

Real rockets use thrust just like your straw rocket—only with powerful engines instead of blowing air.
Weight affects motion: lighter objects generally move farther with the same push.
Engineers test many rocket prototypes before choosing the best design.
Launch angle affects distance—too high or too low can shorten the flight.

Extension Activities

Try these easy add-ons:

Distance Challenge: Which launch angle sends the reindeer the farthest?
Design Challenge: Add accessories—antlers, wings, sleigh pieces—and compare flight distance or stability.
STEM Journal: Have kids predict, test, and record their results.
Holiday Race: Line up several rockets and see which flies the farthest.