How to Make a Car that Runs on Balloons

Making a balloon car is a fun craft and an educational science experiment that you can do with your kids. This activity will help children learn that wind energy can propel an object and teach them about other principles in physics such as momentum, force, friction and speed. ^{[1] X Research Resources} This is also a great lesson in recycling and reusing discarded items to turn them into fun toys. You only need a few simple items: floor material, a straw, wooden skewers, duct tape, and a balloon.

Table of Contents

Make a car that runs on simple balloons

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Cut the cardboard into a 7.5 x 15 cm rectangle. Use a pencil and ruler to draw a rectangle first, then cut it with scissors or a craft knife. ^{[2] X Research Source}

You can also use foam core. It’s the same material that you usually use for your presentation board.
If you want to decorate the bowl, you can paint the cardboard with acrylic paint or stick colored tape over the cover. Wait for the paint to dry before continuing.

Cut two pieces of straws 7.5 cm long. Use only the smooth and straight part of the straw, do not take the twisted part. These two suction pipes are used to hold the wheels and axles in place.

Use adhesive tape to stick the two pieces of straws to the cover. Place two straws horizontally at the ends of the piece of cardboard, each about 1.3 cm from the edge of the cover. Make sure to place it straight and parallel to the edges of the cover. If the suction pipes are bent, your car will not run straight. ^{[3] X Research Source} Attach the straw to the piece of cardboard with tape.

Use strong adhesive tape, such as cloth tape; so the suction tube will not wobble.
Make sure the tape covers the entire length of the straw.

Cut two wooden skewers into two pieces 10cm long. Cut off the pointed end first, then cut a 10 cm long piece. You will need two such paragraphs. This will be the axles of the wheels.

If the scissors are not strong enough to cut the skewer, try using wire cutters.
You can use candy sticks instead if you can’t find wooden skewers. Make sure they rotate easily inside the straws.

Thread two pieces of skewers into the two straws. You should have two sticks sticking out about 1.3cm each. the wheels will be attached to the skewers. This allows the axles to rotate freely inside the suction tubes and allow the vehicle to move.

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Make wheels. Use a water bottle cap or a large coin to draw 4 circles on the cardboard. Use scissors or a craft knife to cut the circles, trying to cut as evenly as possible. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

You can also use water bottle caps instead of cardboard.

Attach the wheel to the skewer. Poke a hole in the center of each wheel. Insert the wheel into the tip of the skewer. Make sure the wheels do not touch the piece of cardboard to avoid jamming. If the wheel is loose, you can put a drop of glue or attach clay to the tip of the skewer. Don’t worry, this won’t stop the wheel from spinning.

If you are making a wheel out of cardboard or foam core, you can use a pencil or skewer to poke holes.
If you’re using a bottle cap, you’ll have to use a nail and hammer to punch the hole. You should ask an adult for help.

Put a straw in the balloon and stick it in place. Thread a straw about 5 cm into the balloon. Wrap tape around the mouth of the balloon and part of the straw. Make sure not to leave it open. You need to seal it tightly. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Use normal balloons, do not use water balloons, long balloons, heart-shaped balloons, aliens, worms, etc.

Stick the straw with the balloon attached to the floor of the car. Let the car stand on the wheels. Place the balloon attachment on the floor of the vehicle along its length, making sure to keep it straight. The ball should rest on the piece of cardboard and the straw should stick one end out. Fix the straw to the piece of cardboard.

It’s okay if the straw sticks out over the edge of the floor, but you’ll need to trim it if it hits the ground.
Do not let the balloon protrude from the floor of the vehicle; otherwise, the ball will hit the ground and hinder the vehicle from moving. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Let the car run. Blow air into the balloon through the straw. Squeeze the tip of the straw to keep the air out. Place the vehicle on a flat and smooth surface. Take your hands off the straw and watch the cars go by! ^{[7] X Research Sources}

The top of the suction pipe will be at the rear of the car, the ball at the front of the car.
If the balloon doesn’t stretch, there’s probably an opening. Wrap more tape around the mouth of the balloon. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
If the balloon still doesn’t stretch, it’s probably punctured. You need to use another balloon. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Make a car out of a juice box

Find a small juice box. You can also use small milk cartons. If you want a better car, you can paint the box with acrylic paint or stick colored tape or colored paper, etc. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Make sure the canister is clean and dry.

Cut two straws into lengths equal to the width of the case. Your juice box will have a front, back and sides. Cut the straws into lengths equal to the width of the front and back of the box.

Remember to use the smooth part of the straw, not the curved part.

Glue the straws to the top of the box. Lay the case down so that the top of the case is in front of you. Place the straws on top of the can, about 1.3 cm from the top and bottom edges of the case. Use adhesive tape to attach the straws to the box. These tubes will hold the axles and wheels in place.

Make sure to position the straws straight. If these pipes are crooked, your car will not run straight.
Use a strong adhesive tape, such as duct tape.

Cut two pieces of wooden skewers to make shafts. Cut off the sharp end first, then cut it into two pieces about 2.5cm longer than the width of the case.

If you don’t have a stick, you can use a lollipop stick instead. Make sure the sticks can be inserted into the straw easily.

Insert the skewer into the straw. The skewer will stick out from the ends of the straw about 1.3 cm. You will attach the wheels to these ends.

Mount the wheel. Fill the bottle cap with clay or sponge and stick it on the skewers. Do not let the clay touch the straw. ^{[11] X Research Source} You can also paste it with hot glue.

If you don’t have a bottle cap, you can use a button instead. You can also cut cardboard into circles to make wheels. Make sure the wheels are even.

Glue balloons to the top of a straw. Insert a straw about 5 cm into the balloon. Wrap the tape over the mouth of the balloon. Wrap it over the mouth of the balloon and into part of the straw. Make sure not to leave it open.

Use adhesive tape to attach the straw to the juice box. Place the straw with the balloon in the center of the case. Part of the ball will hang out of the rear of the car. Part of the straw will stick out at the other end. Make sure to lay the straw straight, then tape it on the straw to keep it in place.

Use strong adhesive tape, such as cloth tape.
Trim it if the straw is too long. You only need a length of about 2.5 cm sticking out from the edge of the box.

Make a car out of water bottles

Rinse the plastic water bottle. You can use water bottles or soft drinks. Open the bottle cap and peel off the label. Rinse the water bottle and let it dry. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Small water bottles will have the most appropriate size.
Make sure water bottles are thoroughly washed and clean, especially soft drinks or juice bottles.

Cut two straws equal to the width of the water bottle. Measure the width of the bottom of the water bottle and cut two straws to this measurement. Use only the smooth part of the straw, do not take the twisted part. These two suction pipes will be the axles. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Use adhesive tape to stick the two straws to the wall of the water bottle. Stick the first straw about 2.5 cm from the bottom of the bottle. Stick the second straw about 2.5 cm below the curved neck of the water bottle. Make sure to place the two straws straight and parallel to each other. Your car will not run straight if the suction cups are crooked. ^{[14] X Research Source}

If there are grooves on the water bottle, you can rely on it to keep it straight.
Use tape that’s tough and strong like fabric tape.

Cut two pieces of wooden skewers to make axles. ^{[15] X Research Source} Cut off the pointed end first, then cut into two segments about 2.5 cm longer than the width of the water bottle. These two sticks need to be long enough to thread through the straws and attach the wheels.

Insert the skewer into the straw. The two ends of the stick will stick out from the two ends of the straw about 1.3 cm. Next you will attach the wheel to the rod.

Make wheels. Find four bottle caps. Draw an X on the cap of each bottle to find the center of the circle. Use a hammer and nail to punch a hole in the center of the X.

You can also draw four circles on cardboard and cut into four wheels.
You can also use buttons instead of bottle caps. Do not punch holes in the buttons and remember to use buttons of the same size. ^{[16] X Research Source}
If you’re afraid to use a hammer and nails, you can insert a small piece of sponge into each bottle cap. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Mount the wheel. Attach the wheels to the ends of the skewers. The inside of the bottle cap faces outwards. Do not press the wheel too close to the bottle to avoid jamming. If it’s too loose, add a drop of glue or stick with clay. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

If you’re using buttons, just use hot glue to stick each end of the stick. ^{[19] X Research Source}
If you use a sponge to stuff the bottle cap, simply plug it into the stick. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Make an X-shaped incision in the bottom of the bottle, just below the upper arc. Place the “car” on four wheels. Find a spot at the bottom of the bottle just below the arc and use a craft knife to make two diagonal X-shaped cuts. This is where you’ll attach the “engine” to your car. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Use sticky tape to attach the balloon to the top of a straw. Insert a straw about 30 cm long into the balloon. Wrap the tape tightly around the mouth of the ball. Make sure to stick the tape over the mouth of the balloon and stick it to the straw. Remember not to leave it open. You need to seal it tightly.

When inserting the straw into the balloon, insert the twist end first.

Insert the straw into the bottle. Thread the tip of the straw into the X you just made in the bottom of the bottle. Next push the straw through the mouth of the bottle so that the straw sticks out from the mouth of the bottle about 2.5 cm. ^{[22] X Research Source} Cut the straw if it’s too long.

The straw will naturally curve at the twisting part of the tube in the bottle.

Let the car run. Blow air into the balloon through the straw. Squeeze the tip of the straw so that the air does not leak out. Place the car on a smooth surface and let go of the straw. Watch cars come and go! ^{[23] X Research Sources}

Blow the balloon over the top of the straw at the end of the bottle.
Use your finger to cover the tip of the straw after blowing up the balloon.
When you’re ready, take your hand off the straw and watch the car go by.

Advice

If this is a class project, have the kids have a contest to see whose car is the furthest or fastest. This is a great way to take the scientific method and develop various theories about how to improve the car.
It is best to use round balloons instead of long and narrow ones. Round balloons will compress the air and create more force for the car. ^{[24] X Research Source}
Light boxes like cardboard shoe boxes will help your car run faster.
Big wheels will travel longer distances.
You can attach a straw to the rear of the car. It will act as a rudder and help the car go straight.
Make the car aerodynamic (smooth and straight for faster travel) by experimenting with different materials and wheels and other design features. ^{[25] X Research Sources}
Use bigger balloons to create more power and make the car go faster. When you let go, it can even fly!
You can also use old CDs to make wheels.
Wheels can be made of bottle caps.
Do not install the balloon upside down, as this will cause the car to run backwards.

Warning

Be careful with the sharp pins. You should bend them to the proper angle or use pliers to bend them into circles to prevent them from sliding off the shaft of the straw.
Do not blow too much; You might be stunned.
If you are allergic to natural rubber, use a balloon that does not contain natural rubber.
Children should be supervised when using sharp scissors and pins.

Things you need

Make a car that runs on simple balloons

Cardboard
Drag
Wooden skewers
Straw
Balloon
Tape

Make a car out of a juice box

Juice box
Drag
Wooden skewers
Straw
Tape
4 bottle caps
Clay, heat glue, etc…

Make a car out of water bottles

Water bottles
Drag
Wooden skewers
Straw
Bottle caps, buttons, cardboard, etc…
Balloon
Tape

Steps

Make a car that runs on simple balloons

Make a car out of a juice box

Make a car out of water bottles

Advice

Warning

Things you need

Make a car that runs on simple balloons

Make a car out of a juice box

Make a car out of water bottles

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