This roundup is all about Balloon cars and making them. Not only do you get the thrill of engineering and developing the toy you get to play with it afterwards. This activity has so many opportunities for educational homeschool learning. STEAM is represented in all of these DIY tutorials. I have included different styles of Balloon race cars to give parents the flexibility of using the supplies they have on hand at home.
Science Sparks has a version of the popular Lego car that is powered by a Balloon here. Frugal fun 4 Boys also has a lego version, this car is a simpler design so more suited to younger engineers.
This one by Tots to Teens uses recycled materials making it the easiest one to source the supplies for followed by this one which uses a Juice Box and bottletops. For a recycled water bottle tanker you will need this tutorial by pbskids.org
I love the design of this Race car, actually, it’s more like a drag car but you will need old CD’s does anyone still have those in the house? This tutorial is a video and uses card board and milk lids a very simple design but has the same concept.Vroom Vroom with this simple box style car.
Don’t have the items? You can purchase ready to go Balloon Car kits
too.
The Science behind it all –
A balloon-powered car is pushed forward by air escaping from a balloon. As the balloon fills with air, it adds more potential or stored energy. As the air flows from the balloon, the energy changes to kinetic energy or the energy of motion. Vehicles are powered by the escaping air from a balloon teach children Newton’s third law of motion. Minimize the drag and reduce weight to make the car go faster. Try running your car on different surfaces for speed too.
This video shows you the science, make your car and watch it here.
Here are some video tutorials on making your own Balloon Car Too
https://youtu.be/dR2C1GGJ-9o
You can pair this STEAM or Science activity with some story books too.
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