Steve Spangler Science



Kool Aid Squeeze Rocket Launcher

Have a blast by turning a bottle and straws into a rocket launcher

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It's easy to turn a juice bottle into a rocket launcher. How? Grab a few straws of different sizes, some modeling clay, and an empty juice bottle to make a launcher that will send the straw rocket soaring across the room. Don't worry, you aren't just playing. You'll learn something about Newton's Third Law of Motion at the same time.

  • Kool-Aid Burst juice bottle or other flexible plastic bottle
  • Modeling clay (Playdough may work, also)
  • 2 straws - one large and one small. The larger diameter straw must be able to slip over the smaller straw. The large and small straws from Starbucks work great.
  • Safety glasses
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This experiment was designed using the Kool-Aid Bursts juice product. While other flexible juice bottles may work, the Kool-Aid product works very well. The larger of the two straws should fix loosely over the smaller straw. There should be no friction or resistance at all or the straw will not be able to launch. If you're tired of searching for straws, just stop by Starbucks® to enjoy a drink and pick up a few straws.
  1. As everyone knows, science is much more fun and productive when conducted on a sugar high. So to start this experiment guzzle down the Kool Aid from your bottle. If you are making more than one launcher, drink those, too!
  2. Avoid making a sticky, rocket launcher mess! Rinse and dry your bottles before you move on.
  3. Push the smaller straw into the opening of the bottle. The straw should fit snugly in the hole at the top of the bottle. Use modeling clay to seal any possible leaks between the straw and the hole in the bottle. The clay will also make the straw more stable and less likely to wobble.
  4. Push one end of the bigger straw into another piece of modeling clay. This "plug" will seal the end of the straw. Cover the plugged end with something soft like a Styrofoam packing peanut to keep the straw rocket from hurting anyone in case they accidentally get hit.
  5. It's time to launch... Place the larger straw over the smaller straw. Ready, aim... wait! Take a look around. Is everyone paying attention? If they aren't watching with Cape Canaveral-like anticipation, make sure they know what is about to take place.
  6. Now that everyone is aware of your rocket launching intentions, start the countdown. 3, 2, 1... give your bottle a giant squeeze and... blast off! The larger straw launches off the smaller straw and the room erupts in a chorus of oohs & ahhhs!

How Does It Work?

While you're having fun launching straws, you're actually learning about Newton's Third Law of Motion. According to Newton, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. As you squeeze the bottle, air is forced out of the straw and pushes against the clay plug in the larger straw. The resulting force causes the straw to "launch" through the air. Pretty simple, right? The power of air is amazing to witness.

Additional Info

Be careful! Never point the straw rocket at anyone. The goal here is to launch the rocket up in the air (not at someone). Be sure to cover the plugged end of the straw with something soft and round to protect someone from accidentally getting hurt by a sharp edge. Be creative! Once you've mastered the simple straw rocket, challenge your friends to a straw rocket design contest. Add a nose cone, some fins, a few decorations, and don't forget to name your straw rocket!

Customer Reviews

Straw Rocket Review by jackie

Simple, recyclable, inexpensive. Brings up lots of science. Since safety glasses are advised you may want to advise that the straw is a projectile and you should aim away from anyone. Really this is meant for outside or a gym.

(Posted on April 12, 2012)

Rocking success! Review by Sandra Taylor

I did this experiment with all 3 of my science classes. I am sure Walmart thought I was crazy buying 17 six packs of kool aid drinks. The kids were so excited. We made contests using these rockets. We tested who could shoot it higher, longer (shooting from the front and seeing how far across it would go) and then they tried to shoot it up and catch the straw on the way down! Force and motion, angles, speed and pressure were all reviewed using this great experiment. Thanks for the great idea!

(Posted on April 26, 2012)

Simple and Fun Review by Vanessa

This experiment was a blast! A little advise, when my class and I were launching the rockets, the playdough from the straw was shooting out. If you place a small piece of tape over the top of the straw (with the playdough still as the stopper), it eliminates this from happening! Definitely a lot of fun!

(Posted on April 20, 2012)

disapointment Review by Regina Wolff

The Kool Aid bottles must be made more cheaply these days. I planned on making these with 4H Science Project that I am teaching but they didn't work-air leaked from the seam areas of the bottles and we couldn't ever get them to work

(Posted on April 18, 2013)

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