How to Make a Plastic Bottle Rocket

Roll a sheet of paper into a cone shape. This will serve as the rocket's nose. You can decorate the rocket with colored or patterned paper if desired.

• Construction paper is both durable and visually appealing!

Attach the cone to the base of the bottle. You can use glue or tape to secure it.

• Ensure it is aligned straight and firmly attached to the bottle.

Use thin cardboard to cut out 3-4 triangular shapes. These triangles will act as the rocket's fins, so try to cut them at precise right angles to ensure they help the rocket stand upright.

• Cardboard, construction paper, or regular paper can be used for the fins. Materials like “for rent” or “for sale” signs also work well for making rocket fins. Lightweight, waterproof materials are ideal for this purpose.
• Attach the fins to the lower part of the rocket.
• Fold the edges of the triangles to make them easier to attach to the rocket's body, then secure them with glue or tape.
• The rocket can stand on its own if the base of the fins aligns with the bottom of the rocket's body.

Pour water into the bottle. Add 1 liter of water to the bottle. It is recommended to fill the bottle to about one-third of its capacity for the rocket to achieve maximum distance.

Poke a small hole through a cork. The hole should match the size of a bicycle pump valve.

Insert the cork into the bottle's mouth. You can use pliers to press it in more tightly.

Insert the bicycle pump needle valve into the hole in the cork. Ensure the valve fits snugly into the cork.

Position the rocket upright. Hold the rocket at the bottle's neck and point it away from your face.

Launch the rocket. Remember to choose an open outdoor area. The rocket will travel fast and high, so clear all obstacles and warn people nearby before launching. Follow these steps:

• Hold the rocket at the bottle's neck and pump air into the bottle. The rocket will launch when the cork can no longer withstand the air pressure inside.
• Release the rocket to let it fly. Water will splash out during launch, so be prepared to get wet.
• Do not approach the rocket once you start pumping, even if nothing seems to happen, as this could lead to injury.

Cut off the neck of one of the two bottles. Use scissors or a craft knife for a clean cut. This will allow you to attach the two bottles neatly.

• Removing the neck helps create a more aerodynamic and durable rocket. The rounded top is also softer and reduces damage if the rocket hits something upon landing.

Leave the second bottle intact. This bottle serves as the combustion chamber, holding water and compressed air. It will be attached to the launcher (the other bottle).

Decorate with colored paint or add designs to the two bottles. Feel free to personalize your rocket with logos and patterns. Get creative!

Add weight to the bottle with the neck cut off. You can use Play-Doh, as with the single-bottle rocket, or cat litter. Cat litter is inexpensive, heavy, and holds firmly when wet.

• If using cat litter, pour about 1.3 cm of litter into the cut bottle, then add a small amount of water to fully moisten it. Add another 0.5 cm of litter and moisten it again.
• Avoid adding too much cat litter, as this can create a dry, loose layer that may scatter during launch. Excess weight can also cause the rocket to crash hard upon landing.
• Dry the inside of the bottle and use tape to secure the cat litter in place.

Attach the two bottles together. Place the cut bottle below the intact one. Press them together so the intact bottle fits inside the cut one, then secure them tightly with tape.

Cut 3-4 triangular shapes from a plastic sheet. These will act as the rocket's fins, so ensure they are cut at precise right angles to help the rocket stand upright and fly smoothly.

• Attach the fins to the lower part of the cut bottle.
• Fold the edges of the triangles for easier attachment, then secure them with glue or tape.

Poke a small hole through a cork. The hole should match the size of a bicycle pump valve.

Insert the cork into the mouth of the intact bottle. You can use pliers to press it in more firmly.

Insert the bicycle pump needle valve into the hole in the cork. Ensure the valve fits snugly into the cork.

Position the rocket upright. Hold the rocket at the bottle's neck and press the bicycle pump valve into the cork.

Launch the rocket. Choose an open outdoor area. The rocket will travel fast and high, so clear all obstacles and warn people nearby before launching. Follow these steps:

• Pump air into the bottle. The rocket will launch when the cork can no longer withstand the air pressure inside, typically around 80 psi.
• Release the rocket to let it fly. Water will splash out during launch, so be prepared to get wet.
• Be cautious once you start pumping and do not approach the rocket, even if nothing seems to happen, as this could lead to injury.

• Be cautious when using sharp tools to cut plastic bottles or cardboard, especially if you are under 10 years old.
• Spectators (or observers) should stand at least 5 meters away.

Method 1:

• Rocket Materials:
  • 1 sheet of 20x28 cm paper
  • 1 plastic bottle (a 2-liter bottle works best for standard-sized rockets, but smaller bottles can be used for mini rockets)
  • Fin materials (thick cardboard or thin corrugated cardboard works well)
  • Tape (for decoration and assembly)
  • Scissors
  • Play-Doh
  • Glue (optional)
• Launcher Materials:
  • Water
  • Bicycle pump with needle valve
  • Cork
  • Drill
  • Drill bit matching the size of the bicycle pump valve

Method 2:

• Rocket Materials:
  • Two plastic bottles (two 2-liter bottles or two standard-sized water bottles)
  • Fin materials
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Play-Doh or cat litter
• Launcher Materials:
  • Water
  • Bicycle pump with needle valve
  • Cork
  • Drill
  • Drill bit matching the size of the bicycle pump valve