How many of these items do you already have? We’ve tried to keep it simple for you by making the majority of the items things most people have within reach (both physically and budget-wise).


You do not need to do ALL the experiments – just pick the ones you want to do! Look over the experiments and note which items are needed, and off you go!


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Materials

  • 10 sheets of 8×11” paper
  • 5 index cards
  • 7-9” latex balloon
  • 15 large straws
  • 5 small straws (make sure these slide easily into the larger straws)
  • wooden spring-type clothespin
  • 4 popsicle sticks (any size)
  • 5 skewers
  • 8 milk jug lids, film tops, or other small, plastic lids that are round for wheels
  • 6” long piece of 3/4” foam pipe insulation
  • foam sheet from a craft store
  • 4 Fuji film canisters or plastic M&M containers (check recycle bin at a photo developing store)
  • 2 small paper clips
  • 8 rubber bands
  • effervescent tablets (generic alka seltzer works great)
  • clean, empty shampoo or lotion bottle
  • small piece of squishy foam or packing peanut
  • wood skewer (should fit inside straws)
  • bike pump
  • needle valve
  • neoprene stopper that fits a 2L soda bottle
  • empty 2-liter soda bottles

Tools


  • duct tape
  • scissors
  • tape
  • hot glue gun

Optional Materials: These rockets go a lot further, but also require adult help to create or are more expensive to build. Watch the video first before starting these projects!


  • razor blade
  • vice or vice grips
  • drill with ½” drill bit (spade bit is best)
  • air compressor and/or air tank
  • spray-nozzle for compressor/tank
  • 3 foot piece of metal tubing that fits just inside the larger straws (listed above)
  • car tire valve (find this at a tire repair shop)
  • 2 to 5 empty 2-liter soda bottles with caps
  • 5 ball bearings , ½” diameter
  • 4 neodymium (super-strong) magnets (1/2″ cube)
  • paper towel tube
  • 1 inch wide bike tube (at least 3 feet long)
  • 12” long x 1/2” diameter PVC pipe