Science Experiments
Balloon-Powered Recycled Race Car
Design, build, and test a fully functional balloon-powered race car capable of rolling smoothly on four bottle-cap wheels across a flat surface for at least three feet.
Grab 1–2 things 40 min Ages 5–8 years 1–3 players Indoor
Critical thinkingEngineering designUnderstanding forces
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Learning benefits
- 💡 Demonstrates Newton's Third Law (every action has an equal and opposite reaction).
- 💡 Introduces basic principles of aerodynamics.
- 💡 Builds construction and engineering skills.
Safety notes
- ⚠️ Use caution when handling wooden skewers, as points can be sharp.
- ⚠️ Supervise the use of scissors and tape.
Cleanup
- 🧹 Recycle the plastic bottle if finished.
- 🧹 Put skewers and tape back in the drawer.
- 🧹 Wipe down the floor area.