Maker Monday: Kids can make their own balloon-powered race cars

We’ve got an easy way for kids to make their own toys — and learn along the way! This Maker Monday project gives kids easy steps to make their own balloon-powered race cars, which are fun to build and cool to race with friends or siblings.

This STEM activity is also a simple way to illustrate Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When the pressurized air escapes from the balloon, the opposite reaction sends the race car flying across the floor. It’s not very different from the science that NASA uses to send rockets into outer space. (Check out our interview, right here, with rocket scientist Sylvia Acevedo.)

The supplies are listed below and they are things you may already have around the house. If you need anything, you can find it at a dollar store.

A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

Maker Monday materials:

• Small cars, such as Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars
• Balloons
• Drinking straws
• Duct tape
• Masking tape
• Scissors

Step 1: Cut a drinking straw into a piece about 4 inches long. Insert the straw partway into a balloon and seal it with duct tape.

Step 2: Choose your racer and set the straw on top of the car. Then tape it in place with masking tape. (The balloon needs to be hanging over the front of the car with the straw pointing toward the rear. If you point it in the wrong direction, the car will race backward. You will lose the race, but it will be pretty funny!)

Step 3: Blow up the balloon through the straw, pinching the neck of the balloon once it’s full so the air doesn’t escape.

Step 4: Put down your racer at your starting line, still pinching the balloon closed. (Remember to have the balloon in front.) Then let go and watch your racer take off! It will run as long as the air continues to blow out.

Once it’s done? Blow it up again for another race!