How to Make a Simple Rocket

Co-authored by Jessie Antonellis-John

Last Updated: June 18, 2024

Rockets capture the imaginations of adults and children alike. Unfortunately, we often refer to “rocket science” as if it is the most complicated subject on the planet. While some highly advanced rockets are engineered with extreme precision, you can still make very simple rockets at home. There are several ways to make a homemade rocket from launching matches to shooting off water rockets.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Building a Match Rocket

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Put two matches on aluminum foil with the plain ends sticking out and the match tips pointing in. Roll the matches up like a burrito. Twist one end of the foil tightly around a match and leave the other end rolled loosely.^{[1]
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Stick the matchstick of the tightly rolled match into a piece of cardboard. This will hold that match in place. Being anchored in the cardboard also allows you to aim the match and launch in whatever direction you choose.^{[2]
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Heat the aluminum foil. Use a candle or lighter to heat the foil. Put the flame directly under the area of foil that conceals the match heads. When the matches get hot enough, they will ignite. This bb will send the loose match shooting out of the aluminum holder.^{[3]
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- When the match heads ignite, gas is rapidly formed and this expanding gas forces the loose match out of the aluminum holder with a considerable amount of force.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Launching a Rocket with Water and Air

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The body of your rocket will be made from a plastic water bottle, a paper cone, and two paper or cardboard triangles.^{[4]
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Research source} You will use three pencils to make a stand. You will also need a cork, water, and a bicycle pump to pressurize the bottle.
Make a rocket from a bottle. Reduce the drag of the water bottle by taping a paper cone to the top of the rocket (the bottom of the bottle). Tape paper or cardboard triangles on either side of the bottle to act as fins.^{[5]
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Research source} The triangles should come about halfway up the bottle.
Tape pencils around the sides of the bottle to make a stand. Make sure that the pencils are pointing down. This stand will allow you to point your rocket up (or at an angle if you wish). ^{[6]
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Research source}Without a stand, your rocket will likely just flail around near the ground instead of lifting off.
You should fill the bottle half full of water. The water will provide the mass needed to propel the rocket during the launch. You can add food coloring for a colorful blast off.
Throw away the bottle’s original cap and replace it with a cork that fits into the opening of the bottle. The cork will allow pressure to build inside the bottle.^{[7]
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Research source} The cork will also pop out allowing the contents to shoot out rapidly and propel the bottle.
Use a bicycle pump with a needle. Insert the needle into the bottle through the cork and pump. Once enough air has been pumped into the bottle, the pressure will force the cork out and launch the rocket into the air.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Make a Rocket with Household Chemicals

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Make sure that the ends of the pencils come up past the top of the bottle. This will ensure that they touch the ground when the bottle is upside down. The pencils will allow you to stand the bottle up on its top.
Put two tablespoons of baking soda in a tissue and roll it up. Make sure that the sides are folded over so that no baking soda is exposed. This will provide a time delay on the very rapid vinegar and baking soda reaction.
Use a funnel to fill the bottle with vinegar. The vinegar is acidic and will react with the basic baking soda to neutralize. Carbon dioxide will be produced in this reaction, which will cause pressure to build inside the bottle.
Drop the baking soda packet into the vinegar. From this point forward, you will need to move quickly. The tissue will unravel quickly. The reaction will start as soon as the baking soda comes in contact with the vinegar.
Quickly place the cork in the opening of the bottle. This will prevent gasses from leaving the bottle and cause pressure to build. With the cork in, set the bottle upside down on the pencils.
As the tissue unravels and the baking soda and vinegar react, more and more gas will build inside the bottle. This will force the cork out from the bottom of the rocket. That force will propel the rocket off of the ground and into the air.

Community Q&A

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Question

To increase distance, do I add more vinegar or baking soda or both?

Community Answer

Just put 50% vinegar and 50% baking soda. Both should be equal in volume.

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How far will the rocket go if I utilize the method of baking soda and vinegar?

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It will probably go 2-10 meters up, depending on how much fuel you have. Remember to wear safety goggles so you do not damage your eyes.

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How can the acceleration of the rocket be increased?

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Community Answer

Acceleration of the rocket can be increased by (any of the following): Increasing the velocity of the exhaust. Decreasing the dry mass of the rocket. Burning propellant at a faster rate. in solid rockets, this is done by using appropriate grain geometry. simply, increase the area of the propellant so that it burns faster.

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Tips

Change the amounts or types of fuel for different results.

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Look into more complex rockets like the sugar rocket.

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Stand back to make sure the bottle doesn't hit you when it takes off.

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Warnings

While all of these ingredients are fairly safe, goggles and gloves will protect you while launching rockets.

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Do this only under the supervision of a responsible adult.

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