Escaping Planet Earth: how to build a space rocket
Bored of being stuck indoors at home? Are you looking to join intergalactic explorers and discover somewhere completely out-of-this-world? Well then; it’s time to take your imagination to space and become an astronaut with our Cardboard Box Creations!
Rockets and space shuttles are used to take people and robots all the way up to space, launching from sites in Florida, Russia and other places all around the world. Build your own personal spacecraft, blast off from a launch pad in your own home and imagine a world of planets, asteroids, aliens and much more. To infinity and beyond!
Remember – cutting into cardboard can be tricky and dangerous. Ask a grown-up to help or supervise.
You will need:
- A very large box or multiple smaller boxes
- Sticky tape
- Extra cardboard
- Foil or silver paint
- Felt-tip pens or paint
- PVA glue
- Scissors
Step one
From a very large cardboard box or smaller box, cut four panels in the shape above. Cut one shape from each side of your box, or use more than one box if one side isn’t big enough. These will form the body of the space rocket, and you want to be able to fit inside it!
Step two
Lay the shapes flat on the floor next to each other, with the tall sides touching each other. Tape the pieces together along these seams.
Step three
Stand the pieces upright and wrap them around so that the open edges touch. Tape together this last side. Fold all the pointed tops in towards each other and tape in place.
Step four
From the cardboard, cut four identical shapes into fins, as shown. Make each one about half the height of the rocket. Cover them in foil or paint them silver to make them look like real rockets!
Step five
Tape one fin to each corner of the rocket body, at a height so that the fin sits a few centimetres above the floor. Use tape on both sides of the fins to hold them securely in place.
Step six
Ask a grown-up to help cut a door on one side of the spacecraft, as shown, as well as a handle in the door and a round window on each of the other three side panels so you can look out and enjoy the view! Then; it’s time for blast-off!
Step seven
Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard and bend in the bottom edge, as shown. Draw a screen, then glue on circles cut from cardboard to make buttons. Tape the control panel to the inside of the rocket. Decorate your rocket with moons, stars and planets – or your own unique design!
If you’ve enjoyed escaping home during this activity, make sure you pick up a copy of The Daredevil’s Guide to Outer Space for more rip-roaring space adventures!
Buckle up, space cadets! For more space-themed activities, why not design your own planet with our fun-filled activity sheet, in association with How to be a Space Explorer? Your cosmic adventure awaits...
