Simple science and a cool chemical reaction with this fun homemade bottle rocket! Kids and adults will have a blast with this easy-to-set-up STEM project. Grab a few simple ingredients from the kitchen for amazing chemistry in action. This is one science demonstration you are going to want to take outside!
Make A Bottle Rocket For Outdoor STEM
This bottle rocket project is an easy way to get your kiddos excited about science! Who doesn’t love an explosive chemical reaction? This is sure to be a project you will want to repeat again and again! Plus, it is an easy way to get the kids outdoors!
Our science activities have you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up, quick to do, most projects 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.
Check out all our chemistry experiments and physics experiments!
Grab an empty water bottle, and follow our step by step instructions to make a rocket that will blast off! Make sure to have an adult involved!
Read more about the science behind baking soda and vinegar experiments.
Introducing Science To Kids
Science learning starts early, and you can be a part of that by setting up science at home with everyday materials. Or you can bring easy science experiments to a group of kids in the classroom!
We find a ton of value in cheap science activities and experiments. All our science experiments use inexpensive, everyday materials you can find at home or source from your local dollar store.
We even have a whole list of kitchen science experiments, using basic supplies you will have in your kitchen.
You can set up your science experiments as an activity focusing on exploration and discovery. Make sure to ask kids questions at each step, discuss what is happening, and discuss the science behind it.
Alternatively, you can introduce the scientific method, get kids to record their observations and make conclusions. Read more about the scientific method for kids to help you get started.
Helpful Science Resources To Get Your Started
Here are a few resources to help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
- Science Vocabulary
- 8 Science Books for Kids
- All About Scientists
- Science Supplies List
- Science Tools for Kids
Click here to get your free printable bottle rocket project!
How To Make A Bottle Rocket
Looking for more fun things to make? Check out all these fun engineering projects for kids.
Supplies:
- Rocket Template
- Scissors
- Tape
- Paper straws
- 1 liter bottle
- Wine cork
- Paper towel
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Funnel
Instructions:
STEP 1: Print out your rocket template and use scissors to cut out.
Also check out how to make a balloon rocket for simple physics!
STEP 2: Tape four straws to the top of your bottle so it will stand up on its own.
Tape the rocket printable to the bottle.
STEP 3: Pour a cup of vinegar into the bottle.
STEP 4: Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda into half a paper towel and fold it into a small tube.
STEP 5: Place your rocket on the launch pad (you will want to take this step outside if possible).
QUICKLY add the paper towel to the bottle and seal with the cork. Flip the bottle over and stand it up, then stand back!!
Adult supervision required for this step!
Up, up and away! How high can you get your bottle rocket to go?
How Does A Bottle Rocket Work?
This chemical reaction occurs because of an acid {the vinegar} mixing with a base {baking soda}. When you add baking soda to the vinegar and the two combine a chemical reaction takes place and gas is created. The gas is called carbon dioxide. It is the gas which produces the fizzing eruption.
The narrow opening of the water bottle helps to shoot the eruption up higher because the gas is easily forced out and up.
Learn more about acids and bases, and chemical changes.
Turn It Into A Bottle Rocket Science Fair 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, homeschool, and groups.
Kids can take everything they have learned about using the scientific method, stating a hypothesis, choosing variables, and analyzing and presenting data.
Want to turn this project into an awesome science fair project? Check out these helpful resources.
More Fun Exploding Experiments
Why not try one of these fun and easy science experiments below!
Similar to our bottle rocket above, make a rocket with alka seltzer tablets.
Crush a soda can with this air pressure can experiment.
Watch what happens when you add mentos to soda.
This has to be the best baking soda and vinegar reaction!
