Reindeer Straw Rockets
It’s almost time for Santa to take to the skies and that means we could all use some simple stem to celebrate the season! This challenge is super engaging for the kids- after all who doesn’t want to make a reindeer fly? We are going to fuel the reindeer with air propulsion – which in this case means with a straw rocket! Straw Rockets are low prep, creative and educational. Everything you could want for a STEM project this busy season!
Reindeer Rockets STEM Project
Table of Contents
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What are Straw Rockets?
The best way to describe a straw rocket is an air-powered rocket that flies simply by blowing air through a straw. Minimal, basic materials make this a win-win! Kids are going to have a ball as they explore aerodynamics, force, and motion.
In this holiday-themed version of straw rockets, we’ll be transforming simple straw rockets into flying reindeer. With a few simple materials and a reindeer cutout, the rockets will soar just like Rudolph and his friends on Christmas Eve.
Building a Reindeer Rocket
Supplies
Most of these items are common in classrooms and homes, making it easy to set up with minimal prep.
Lightweight straws (plastic, cardboard, etc. should all work)
Paper or cardstock
Tape
Scissors
Glue stick
Markers or crayons for decorating (Optional)
Reindeer Straw Rockets Printable
If you want to make your project look like ours, we created a printable with our designs that is available to SPF newsletter subscribers. Simply enter your email in this form to unlock it.
Directions
Step 1: Build the Rocket Body
Start by creating the body of the rocket using a piece of paper or cardstock. Cut out a small rectangle (about 2×4 inches) and roll it tightly around a straw, and tape it closed. Make sure it fits snugly around the straw but can slide off easily when launched.
Once the body is secure, fold one end of the tube and tape it to seal it up and create the rocket’s nose.
Step 2: Add the Reindeer Design
Use reindeer clipart or have kids draw their own reindeer on paper. You can find a clipart design you like and have the reindeer “riding” the rocket. We have included a template for a printable that will make it an even more turnkey project for you during this busy season!
Cut out the reindeer design and tape it onto the rocket body, making sure it’s securely attached but still lightweight so not too much tape!
Step 3: Create the Fins (Optional)
If you want to add some stability and balance to your rocket, you can create small paper fins. Cut small triangles from the paper and tape them to the underside of the rocket (back of the reindeer).
Step 4: Prepare for Launch
Once your Reindeer Rocket is ready to fly, insert a paper straw into the rocket body. Hold the rocket at the base of the straw and aim upward… then blow into the straw!
How to Launch Your Reindeer Rocket
Now comes the fun part, launching the Reindeer Rockets! To launch, all they have to do is blow into the straw with a quick burst of air. Watch as your reindeer takes flight, propelled by the air pressure from the straw. Kids can experiment with how much air they use, the angle they launch at, and even the size of their rocket to see how far their reindeer can fly.
Exploring STEM Concepts
This Reindeer Rocket STEM project isn’t just fun and games – it introduces kids to several important science and engineering principles in a memorable way:
Force and Motion
Blowing air through the straw creates a force that pushes the rocket forward, this clearly illustrates Newton’s third law of motion: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
The Importance of Aerodynamics
Kids can explore how the shape and weight of the rocket affect its flight. They can experiment with different rocket designs to see which one flies the farthest or fastest.
Experimentation
Encourage kids to test different variables, such as adding fins, changing the size of the rocket body, or adjusting the angle of launch. This will give them insight into how engineers refine and improve designs through trial and error.
Extension Ideas
This activity is perfect for the classroom because it requires minimal prep and uses easily accessible materials. Here are a few tips to make this project even more fun and engaging.
Design challenge: Turn it into a fun competition! Challenge students to see whose Reindeer Rocket can fly the farthest or stay in the air the longest.
Why not compare Straw Rockets to Paper Airplanes, and see if you can increase the effectiveness of your straw rockets with what we learned from our Paper Airplane Design Challenge.
Get creative: Challenge your kids to come up with new designs for their straw rockets. Maybe they want to make snowflakes and all the kids can launch at the same time to make a snowfall in the classroom!
Discussion: After launching, have a group discussion about why some rockets flew better than others. What changes could they make to improve their designs?
More Reindeer Physics: Try Rudolf Races for some fast paced Balloon Rocket festive fun!
This Reindeer Rocket STEM challenge is a fun and festive way to bring STEM into the classroom during the holiday season. By using basic materials like straws and paper, kids will learn about force, motion, and engineering while enjoying the magic of Christmas. With easy preparation and minimal supervision it’s a nice gift to the teachers too!
Grab more Christmas STEM ideas with our massive resource and be ready for festive fun and learning this holiday season!