When the most recent of issue of Family Fun magazine arrived last week, we did one of the activities right away! These rocket launchers made out of plastic cups were fun and very easy to make!
To make one, cut 4 slits in the top rim of a plastic cup. They should be about 1/2 inch to 1 inch long. Put a piece of tape under each slit to keep the slit from growing. We had quite a bit of trouble cutting the slits the right size because it required a lot of force with the scissors to cut through the rim of the cup, and then it was hard to stop the scissors in time!!! Cutting the slits was definitely a job for Mom, not kids. We fixed our too-big slits by putting tape (we used duct tape) on both sides. We used cups from our cup stacking stash, and they’re getting pretty ratty, so maybe that was part of our problem?
Once you have your slits, cut two rubber bands so that you have two long strands, not loops. Tie a knot in each end of the rubber bands, and thread them through the slits.
Family Fun recommended decorating the rubber band cup with a cardboard cutout of a rocket or a hopping frog, but my boys just wanted to get on to launching them…
To launch, put a plain cup on the ground. Push the rubber band cup down on top of the other cup (like you are stacking them) and then let go. It launches really well!
This is a great way to impress some boys on a rainy day! Anything that shoots, flings, flies, etc. is a guaranteed success!
SO fun! It is rainy and gross at our house too.. I need to go gather my supplies
Oooooh! Fun! Off to the office supply store for latex-free rubber bands!!! =)
I can’t believe you posted this! I was reading the waiting room copy of Family Fun at my doctor’s office on Monday and was so excited to try this but by the time I got home I had forgotten exactly how to do it. Thank you so much! I guess I need to get a subscription to this magazine, I like so many things I saw in there.
Lol, that’s too funny! Family Fun is great – they always have really creative ideas.
This is so cool!!! My 7-year-old would love this! I’m going to invite some of his friends over to make these.
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I did this with my school class. I taught them about “stored” and “kinetic” energy and it was a great way for them to show they understood this concept. They loved it and so did I!!!
I really like this kind of activities / the ones you can make with the stuff you already have at home. Definitely gonna try this one, and we-ll let you know the result!