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How to Make a Rocket Out of Recyclables

Developing a rocketry hobby can be very inexpensive if you use household objects that may otherwise be thrown away. You'll need to buy model rocket engines at a hobby store, but all of your other materials can probably be found in your very own recycling bin. Once you start reusing objects for your rockets, you will find yourself looking at trash in new, creative ways, and your rockets may become real works of art. Of course, don't get too attached to your creations if you want to launch them into the stratosphere.

Things You'll Need

Paper cup
Knife
Model rocket engine
Hot glue gun
Paper towel tube
Spray paint cap
Scrap cardboard
Scissors
Straw
Paint
Paint brushes
Permanent marker
Model rocket launch pad

Instructions

- 1
  Use a knife to cut an "X" in the bottom of the paper cup. It's easiest if you turn the paper cup over, draw the "X" on the flat surface and insert your knife tip-point-first to cut the "X."
- 2
  Peel back the four points of the "X" and insert the model rocket engine in the hole created by the "X." An inch or two should stick out through the base of the paper cup.
- 3
  Push the bottom of the paper cup into the paper towel roll until you can't push it anymore. The paper cup will extend beyond the end of the paper towel, so use scissors to trim off the excess paper cup.
- 4
  Place the spray paint lid on the opposite end of the paper towel to form an end cap. Glue it in place with the hot glue gun.
- 5
  Cut three right-angle triangles out of the cardboard scraps. They should be identical in shape and will form the fins that help the rocket to stand up on the ground and to stabilize in the air. Attach the cardboard fins to the base of the rocket using plenty of hot glue. Ensure that the fins are equally spaced around the perimeter of the rocket.
- 6
  Apply hot glue in a straight line along the straw and adhere the straw to the side of the rocket. The straw slides down over the spire on a model rocket launch pad and keeps it vertical during a launch.
- 7
  Decorate your rocket. You can spray paint it for a quick, all-over paint job, paint it with tempera paints and a paint brush or color it with markers. Write the name of your rocket on the side with a permanent marker.
- 8
  Follow the model rocket engine instructions to ignite and launch your rocket.

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