​The balloon rocket stem challenge gets kids thinking and problem solving.  Challenge kids to move a balloon from one side of a room all the way to the other without touching it. Kids will engineer some creative contraptions and develop teamwork skills with this exciting project.

Balloon Rocket Supplies

• Thin wire or string
• Straws
• Balloons
• A few rolls of masking tape

Challenge Setup​

Split kids into groups that can work well with each other.  I have found that 2-3 people per group is perfect. Give each group a balloon, tape, straw and string to construct their balloon rocket.

This activity works best in a space where groups can spread out. That allows them to work uninhibited and not be influenced by other groups ideas.

How to Administrate A Balloon Rocket Activity

Ask kids if they have ever blown up a balloon and then let it go without tying the end.  Ask them what happens. Next show the kids the supplies and tell them they need to create a way for a balloon to travel from one wall to the parallel wall, (In a large space you can use chairs or tables as markers) using the supplies available to them.  

Give the group a few minutes to brainstorm. Then allow them to create a design, allowing them time to make changes to designs as they work.

​If children get frustrated, start to lose interest or time starts to run short ask them if they have ever seen or been on a zip-line. Get them thinking about how they could use that concept to help move their balloon from one wall to the other.

The Solution

Tape or tie one end of the wire or string to one wall, secure it high on the wall.  Place the straw on the wire or string and pull it to the opposite wall and tie or tape it towards the bottom of the wall, so it creates an incline.  Blow up the balloon do not tie it but hold it securely, pull the straw to the wall where the string is taped up high. Use tape and secure the balloon to the straw.  Let the balloon go, and it will fly from the higher wall down the string to the opposite wall!

More Activities like This

If you enjoy the balloon rocket stem challenge you will love balloon jousting. Balloon jousting takes the concept of balloon rockets to the next level. Can you engineer a balloon to pop an opponents in a joust?

If you are looking for more rocket experiments check out the rocket science lab kit on Amazon. This kit includes 18 different launch experiments and is perfect for school age kids.

You may also like the helium balloon hover challenge. The hover challenge asks kids to defy physics and engineer a helium balloon to hover without touching the ceiling or the ground.