Balloon rocket blast off activity with a galactic background and Lucky riding atop the red balloon

Balloon Rocket Blastoff

Prep time: 
15 Minutes
Total time: 
15 Minutes
Ages: 
6-12

While Lucky’s magical balloon helps him float, your kids can use the magic of science to help launch a balloon across the room! This fun experiment brings the power of propulsion to life through a simple and easy-to-make experiment. How many breaths do you think it will take to reach the other side?

The materials needed for balloon rocket blastoff

Supplies

  • Red balloon
  • Straw
  • Scissors
  • Thing string or fishing line (at least 20-25ft)
  • Tape
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Clothespin or binder clip
  • Two chairs
  • Optional: Balloon hand pump

Steps

  1. Thread the string or fishing line through the straw.
  2. Attach each end of the string to the back of a chair..
  3. Pull the chairs apart until the string is straight and tight.
  4. After you’ve set up the activity area, inflate a balloon using three big breaths (or pumps from a hand pump).
  5. Use a clothespin or binder clip to keep the balloon tightly closed.
  6. Attach the balloon to the straw using tape.
  7. Unclip the clothespin or binder clip and let the balloon fly!
  8. When the balloon has stopped moving, use a piece of tape to mark on the floor where the balloon stopped.
  9. Use the measuring tape or ruler to measure the distance and record the number on a piece of paper.
  10. Repeat steps 4-9 three times using four, five, and six big breaths.
  11. On the same piece of paper you recorded all your measurements, create a graph to visualize your results.