Balloon Rocket

Every now and then, Elizabeth receives party pack from classmates who celebrated their birthday in kindy. She received balloons in the party pack, unblown ones. I was thinking of something to do with it instead of just blowing it up and let the kids play with it. So I looked up the Internet to find any simple and easy science project involving a balloon. I found this Balloon Rocket and it's pretty simple project you can do with your kids too since it's the school holiday now. Although I did my project way before the school holidays. :D

You will need a balloon, a long piece of string (use a thicker string like mine or kite string will do), a plastic straw and tape.

What you need to do:
1. The instructions says to tie one end of the string to a chair or door knob. But since it's suppose to be a rocket, I feel that it should soar higher than a chair or door knob. So I asked my hubby to hold the other end of the string and lift his hand high up.

2. I will be holding the other end of the string so put this end through the straw.

3. Pull the string tight and tie it to another support in the room but for me I just hold it low.

4. Blow up the balloon but don't tie it instead you pinch the end of the balloon and tape the body of the balloon to the straw.

5. You're ready for the launch so let go the balloon and watch it fly like a rocket!

My children were excited and happy. And you can expect questions to be flowing from their mouth from this little project. So I had to explain that as the air rushes out of the balloon, the balloon moves forward and this motion is called thrust. It's a bit like a rocket where the burning rocket fuel blasts down from the engines and makes the rocket goes up. Happy trying. :)