Creating a Matchbox Rocket
During childhood one of the coolest things you could do, and your parents would allow, were controlled projectiles like water guns, water balloons, and paper airplanes. An even better concept were rockets, but in order to achieve this kind of entertainment you’d need to either pay 20 dollars for a kit or live in a state where fireworks are legal. Here you will learn how to be amused by rockets you create with some household items. This article is based on experience and Grant Thompson’s video on how to make matchbox rockets (video below)


⦁ Aluminum Foil
⦁ Matches (Diamond Strike On- Recommended)
⦁ Wooden Skewer (Bamboo-Prefered)
⦁ Aluminum Tape
⦁ Scissors
⦁ Pliers
⦁ Windproof Lighter (If launch pad is outside)

Step 1) From the tip down cut 10.75cm (4.232in) of the skewer

Step 2) Cut several aluminum sheets with a length of 10.2 cm (4 in) and a width of 5.1 cm (2  in)

3) Cut the match heads off of as many matches as you’d like

4) Cut a square piece of aluminum tape with a side length of 2.54 cm (1 in). Then fold the piece to make a triangle and hold both corners connected to the base and push them towards each other to make an X with the folds. (See image below). Then cut the tip of the folded wings

Step 1) Take one aluminum plate and curl one of the short sides slightly and place the wooden skewer in the curve with the non-pointed end. Place a match head at the end of the skewer and make sure the wooden side is facing the skewer. Also make sure you have enough space above the match head

Step 2) Roll the aluminum against the skewer as neatly as possible. Make sure you don’t make it too tight or the rocket won’t launch off of the skewer. Then take the pliers and crimp the excess aluminum at the top of the rocket. Make sure it is as tight as possible so the propulsion doesn’t go out of the top

Step 3) Remove the covering for the aluminum tape wing fold and put the rocket fins through the hole, made earlier, then tape the rocket fins near the bottom of the tube. Place your rocket on the pointed tip of the skewer and you’re ready to launch

Step 1) Make a hole near the end of the empty matchbox cover and place the skewer through the hole with the rocket mounted
Step 2) Adjust the angle of which the rocket will launch
Step 3) Start burning rocket where the match head is and if possibly set your windproof lighter to high to avoid any infiltration during liftoff
Step 4) Let the rocket launch

Creating A Homemade Circuit

Supplies Shown Above:
Batteries (x2)-@ Bottom
Aluminum Foil- Shiny Stuff to the Right
Green Wire-Next to the Aluminum
Electric Tape-Every Black Object
Speaker-The Black Doughnut Shaped Object
Scissors- To Cut 😛
Piece of Thick Paper (Cut a Square From a Folder)

Supplies You’ll Need:
Batteries (x2)
Aluminum Foil
Electric Tape
Piece of Thick Paper (Cut a Square From a Folder)

2) Tape the battery bar to the paper
4) Then connect one wire of the motor to the battery

(See top image for a switch circuit)