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DIY Balloon Powered Cars You Can Make For Science Lesson

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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.

Race Car Children Book

If I built a Car 

Race Car Dreams

Check out our Pinterest boards for all the latest DIY craft finds as well as hand curated boards with a focus on Children, children at play and learning activities. 

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Sweet Cookie Embroidery (Japanese Edition)

“Sweet Cookie Embroidery (Japanese Edition)” by nashi is a Kindle-exclusive Japanese craft book that introduces readers to the art of Totsuka embroidery through the lens of confectionery-inspired designs. The book showcases the delicate and charming icing cookie designs of sweets artist KUNIKA, translating them into embroidered accessories using simple stitches.

The book features a collection of designs inspired by KUNIKA’s icing cookies, rendered through Totsuka embroidery techniques. Each design is accompanied by clear instructions and illustrations, making it accessible even to beginners. The use of embroidery threads, beads, and pearls adds depth and texture to the creations, enhancing their visual appeal.

The designs are characterized by their simplicity and elegance, reflecting the aesthetic of KUNIKA’s original cookie art. The Totsuka embroidery technique employed is straightforward, utilizing basic stitches that are easy to follow. This approach ensures that both novice and experienced embroiderers can enjoy the projects.

While specific user reviews for the Kindle edition are limited, the book has been positively received in other formats. For instance, a review on Japanese Creative Books describes the designs as “lovely simple designs, a bit limited but completely worth the money if you like the style.” The reviewer also notes that the book offers “the best prices for Japanese embroidery books.”

“Sweet Cookie Embroidery (Japanese Edition)” by nashi is a delightful resource for those interested in combining the art of embroidery with the whimsical charm of confectionery designs. Its clear instructions and appealing projects make it a valuable addition to any craft enthusiast’s collection.