Make a toilet roll rocket

This is the original Playtime rocket craft which is more suitable for slightly older children.

The government has now dispelled the myth that children are at risk from toilet rolls (as long as they are visually clean) and you can download a poster from the HSE to reassure concerned parents.

You will need:

• Cardboard inner from a toilet or kitchen roll
• Coloured card
• PVA glue and spreader
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Glitter
• Red, orange and yellow crepe paper
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Small piece of silver paper for windows

How to make a rocket

• You can download a template for this craft activity here (PDF).
• Cut a circle of card approx 11cm diameter and remove a 1/3 segment. Glue into a cone slightly too large for the cardboard tube.
• Snip around the bottom edge of the cone and bend the tabs slightly inwards so that the base of the cone fits snugly inside the cardboard tube. Put a ring of glue around the inside of the top of the cardboard tube and push the cone up through from the bottom until the tabs stick to the glue. Leave to dry.
• Cut out two fins from the card.
• Fold the fins in half and then fold the tabs back slightly on each side.
• Make two 5cm cuts, equally spaced, up from the bottom of the cardboard tube.
• Put a line of glue on either side of each of the slots on the inside of the cardboard tube and slide the fins up into place, making sure that the two tabs stick to the glue. Leave to dry.
• Now for the decoration... Paint as much as you want, then sprinkle with the glitter before the paint dries. Cut out widow shapes from the silver paper and glue to the rocket.
• Finally add the flames… Cut approximately 5 strips of crepe paper and staple to the inside of the cardboard tube. Top tip – for a quick and easy way to produce long lengths just cut across the end of the crepe paper without unrolling it.
• Leave to dry, then blast off!

For more autumn crafts check out the article '10 simple craft ideas for autumn' or make a handprint/leaf hedgehog.

Last Updated 06 December 2010