This is the first of a series of posts on VBS crafts. For more group kids crafts ideas, check my VBS tab.
We did these on Day 1. They’re kind of like sanitary spit wads. I used the tutorial over here at Curious Kangaroos. Make sure the straws are on the bigger side (diameter), or it’s a poor show. You want to puff a lot of air through the straw in a hurry for them to fly well.
Details for preparing for a group: I drew lines on one sheet of paper so each kid will get to color 6 straw rockets. I photocopied the sheet (lazy me…) and that’s about all the prep for this one. The kids colored the rockets before cutting them out.
And for everyone else’s benefit to make this go even quicker, here’s the print-able via PDF file:
(The writing on the bottom edge will not make it into a copy unless you can adjust your copier to go to the edge of the page. Also note below, my assembly instructions would change a bit if I were to do it again).
Due to time restrictions, it worked best to let them color, cut, and assemble ONE rocket before completing any more.
Wrap on a pen or pencil (make sure it’s a bit bigger than your straws). Glue. (NOTE: do NOT glue while flat before wrapping. It works better to wrap so the paper is curled closer to it’s final shape before glueing). Clip on clothespins to help hold it while it sets for a couple minutes.
****While the above is the way we did it, I would save a lot of headache and time if I were to do it again. I would just have them FOLD the rockets- skip the wrapping around pencils to glue. Fold on the dotted “glue” line and then fold the remainder of the rocket in half over to the “glue” line. It won’t affect end performance and will make it tons easier to assemble.
Then fold down the top and tape. Repeat for each rocket. Done!
All the pieces went into a little baggie to go home. I gave them straws AFTER the rockets were made to keep everyone’s mouth on their own straw and to keep them on task until finished.
If you have time (we didn’t)- give the kids some challenge for practicing aim and distance with targets, landing strips, etc. Hang up hula hoops, cut shaped holes in a tarp and line with tape, or tape a landing strip on the floor- however you want to do it. Let them play!
