Cupid’s Arrow Balloon Physics Challenge – STEM Activity

We had so much fun creating the Rudolf Races that my kids begged me to come up with a new race. With Valentine’s Day around the corner I had the perfect idea: Cupid’s Arrow Balloon Physics Challenge! A fun way to learn Newton’s Third Law of Motion, while getting students up and moving.

Cupid’s Arrow Balloon Physics Challenge

Get everyone moving with this Cupid's Arrow Balloon STEM Challenge. A fun twist on balloon races while learning Physics & Newton's Third Law of Motion.

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The goal of this balloon physics challenge is to create your arrow out of a balloon. Then, using Newton’s third law of motion, have the arrow shoot along a string into a heart. Newton’s Third Law of Motion states: For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.

Supplies for Cupid’s Arrow Balloon Physics Challenge

Long, skinny balloons – these were surprisingly hard to find!
Construction paper
String
Straws
Tape
Scissors
Binder clips or kitchen clips (we found these worked best)
Anchor points – could be chairs, tables or even people holding the string

Get everyone moving with this Cupid's Arrow Balloon STEM Challenge. A fun twist on balloon races while learning Physics & Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Directions for Cupid’s Arrow Balloon Physics Challenge

Blow up your balloon or use a hand pump if you have one. Secure the end with an alligator clip so no air escapes. Decorate your balloon to look like an arrow using construction paper and tape.

Get everyone moving with this Cupid's Arrow Balloon STEM Challenge. A fun twist on balloon races while learning Physics & Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Set up your anchor points about 10 feet apart.


ADAPTATION NOTE: What happens if you move the anchor points farther apart? Record the results and determine the distance your balloon can travel. Or change how much you inflate the balloon. How does that affect the results? 


Thread your string through a straw, then secure the string to the two anchor points.

For fun, we attached a heart at the destination anchor point on our race course.

Get everyone moving with this Cupid's Arrow Balloon STEM Challenge. A fun twist on balloon races while learning Physics & Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Attach your balloon to the straw using tape.

Pull the balloon back to the starting point. Carefully remove the clip and pinch the end between your fingers.

Get everyone moving with this Cupid's Arrow Balloon STEM Challenge. A fun twist on balloon races while learning Physics & Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Get ready for the countdown!

1… 2… 3… GO!

Let go of your balloon and watch your balloon arrow race to the heart!

Get everyone moving with this Cupid's Arrow Balloon STEM Challenge. A fun twist on balloon races while learning Physics & Newton's Third Law of Motion.

By the time it arrives at the heart it’s a very sad looking arrow. But you can blow it up and do it all over again!

Get everyone moving with this Cupid's Arrow Balloon STEM Challenge. A fun twist on balloon races while learning Physics & Newton's Third Law of Motion.

The Science Behind Cupid’s Arrow Balloon Physics Challenge

When you blow up the balloon you are filling it up with air that is under pressure. When the air escapes from the balloon (when you remove the clip) the escaping air exerts thrust or force on the balloon which propels it forward. The air escapes backward – the balloon races forward. Action – reaction. Or more formally known as Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.


Get everyone moving with this Cupid's Arrow Balloon STEM Challenge. A fun twist on balloon races while learning Physics & Newton's Third Law of Motion.

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