Balloon Car!

Activity Ten

Introduction

What can we as engineers make with everyday materials?

Let’s create an air-powered vehicle that can roll quickly across the floor!

By the end of this activity, and some parental assistance, you will have an air-powered car that can race through your home or outside.

Activity

In this activity, you will construct a basic balloon-powered car that you can blow into to make it travel.

Can it travel through an obstacle course? How fast can it go?

Materials

  • Cardboard
  • Balloon
  • Bottle Caps
  • Straw
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Toothpicks

Instructions

Step 1

Cut a 5×4 cardboard square and tape two trimmed straw pieces to the bottom

Step 2

Flip it over, and prick two bottle caps with a skewer going into the straws (x2). Do this for the front and the back of your Balloon Car.

Step 3

Insert the straw into the balloon and hold in place by securing a rubber band around the bottom of the balloon.  Do not tighten too much as this could restrict the airflow into the balloon. Tape the straw down and you’re ready to begin!

Step 4

Blow into the balloon to fill it up with air.  Place your thumb over the end of the straw to keep the air inside the balloon until you are ready to let the air out.  This will make your balloon car move.

Reflection

Click here to download reflection sheet