Paper Cup Rocket Craft

Paper Cup Rocket Craft for Kids

3, 2, 1 Blast off!

Have you ever wondered how a real rocket launches into space? It all comes down to forces, a push or pull that makes things move! In this paper cup rocket craft for kids, we’re putting that science to work. Using just a few paper cups, construction paper, rubber bands, and markers, you’ll engineer your very own launching rocket that actually flies through the air. It’s the perfect hands-on STEAM activity for kids ages 4 and up, and one of the most exciting summer crafts you can make at home!

VOCABULARY

  • Spaceship: A special vehicle or machine that flies high above the Earth into outer space to explore stars, planets, and moons!

  • Forces: A push or pull that makes things move, stop, or change direction!

  • Engineering: Solving problems by imagining, building, and testing how things work!

GUIDING QUESTIONS

  • How high do you think your rocket can fly?

  • Where is your rocket flying off to?

MATERIALS

  • 3 paper cups

  • Construction Paper

  • Glue

  • 2 Rubberbands

  • Markers

  • Tape

  • Scissors

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

First, take one cup and, using your markers, decorate it using red, orange, and yellow to give your rocket some jet fuel (fire)! We will call this cup A.

Paper cup colored to look like fire

STEP 2

Then, take your second cup and color the base of your rocketship. What color will your rocket be? We will call this cup B.

Color base of your rocket

STEP 3

Now it is time to build your rocket! We are adding two circular windows, two triangular wings, a cone-shaped top, and a stripe along the bottom. Using your construction paper, cut out fun shapes and features for your rocket ship, then glue them to the cup you colored in Step 2!

Add decorations to your rocket

STEP 4

For your third cup that you haven’t colored, take your two rubber bands and place them criss-cross over the cup entirely. We will call this cup C.

Criss-cross rubber bands on your third cup

STEP 5

Your rocket is ready for take-off! This step will take some stacking skills! Place cup A on a flat surface. Then take cup B and place it on top of cup C. Now, take your stacked cups and press the opening onto the top of cup A as hard as you can. While you are pressing down, let go to watch your rocket fly high!

Paper Cup Rocket Craft