How to Make a Cardboard Rocket That Can Fly

Use a ruler and pencil to mark a line five inches from the end of an empty paper towel roll. Continue the line around the entire perimeter of the roll.

Use scissors to cut four equidistant lines inward from the end of the paper towel roll. Stop at the pre-marked line.

Bend the four cut sections together, forming a cone at the tip of the paper towel roll. Fix the cone in place using masking tape.

Measure and mark three right triangles on a sheet of cardboard. The short side of the triangles should be three inches, and the long sides should be five inches in height. Cut out the triangles using scissors.

Use masking tape to attach the triangles to the open end of the paper towel roll at equidistant intervals. Orient the five-inch edge of each triangle against the side of the tube, with the three inch edge along the open end of the roll.

Insert an empty 35mm film canister into the open base of the rocket. The top of the film canister should protrude approximately 1/4 inch from the edge of the cardboard. If the film canister is loose, secure it in place with masking tape.

Invert the rocket with the film canister pointing upward.

Fill the film canister one-third full of water. Add one-fourth of an antacid tablet.

Quickly place the lid on the film canister. Shake the rocket vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds.

Place the rocket on a large flat surface. Allow up to 30 seconds for liftoff to occur.