Make a Paper Rocket

Step-by-step helper guide for assistants and teachers

Prepare the Paper Steps 1-4
  1. 1
    Choose a paper color
  2. 2
    top edge (tape goes here next) Mine :) write here
    Label rocket near the top edge with your initials (tape covers this edge next)
  3. 3
    11" tape is shorter
    Tape the long edge (11.5") of paper to the table — tape half on, half off the top edge — tape should be just shorter than the paper
  4. 4
    1st tape (2" wide) 2nd tape (2" wide) 1/4" overlap aligned paper edge +3"
    Add 2nd piece of tape above the first, overlapping by 1/4". Align one end with the paper edge — the other end overruns the paper by 3"
Roll the Rocket Body Steps 5-11
  1. 5
    tape down +3" away from you flip on short edge → sticky up! +3" away from you
    Flip paper over on the short edge so tape is sticky side up and away from you
  2. 6
    away from you (tape, sticky up) ← +3" close to you (tube) +3" → tape this side tube other side gap
    Offset the tube away from the tape. Tube overhangs the opposite side from the tape — so tape won't stick to the tube when rolling
  3. 7
    tape (sticky up) TIGHT!
    Roll paper tightly around tube onto tape
  4. 8
    tube tape up side tape over top (superman's cape) like an upside down L
    Fold tape over the top of the rocket — tape goes up one side and over like an upside-down L
  5. 9
    tube fold 45° fold like making a bed
    Hospital fold — tuck excess tape at a 45° angle, sticking it to itself (like making a bed corner)
  6. 10
    tube tape up side fold cape down this side
    Fold tape down the other side of the rocket
  7. 11
    tube fold 45° fold repeat other side
    Hospital fold again — tuck excess tape at 45° on this side too
The tighter the roll, the better the rocket flies!
Add Fins Steps 12-16
  1. 12
    fin (½"×2") tape (2") fin edge on center
    Cut paper to ½" × 2". Place one edge on the middle of a 2-3" piece of tape
  2. 13
    nose OPEN fin tape pressed smooth
    Align fin's left edge with tube centerline. Press left tape smooth around tube. Fin & tape extend right.
  3. 14
    fin fold tape over fin press smooth
    Fold fin back slightly to the left. Fold tape over at fin edge so it sticks to the other side. Press smooth.
  4. 15
    × 3
    Repeat to make 3 fins, evenly spaced around the rocket
  5. 16
    before rocket clip after vertical side on rocket
    Trim fins — cut a right triangle with one vertical side on the rocket. Clip the bottom outside corner vertical for flare.
Fins go on the open end (bottom) - not the nose!
Finish the Rocket Steps 17-19
  1. 17
    white tube
    Insert plain white PVC tube into rocket
  2. 18
    x5 nose
    Add 5 wraps of electrical tape to the front (nose)
  3. !
    !
    REMOVE THE TUBE!!
The electrical tape adds nose weight for stable flight. Make sure the tube is removed before launch!

Quick Reference

Common Mistake Fins on wrong end - they go on the OPEN end
Common Mistake Paper rolled too loose - it should be tight
Common Mistake Forgetting to remove the tube before launch
Nose Weight 5 wraps of electrical tape on the front