Easy Paper Roll Rocket Craft for Kids

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Summer is my favorite time of year. By far.

But it’s also the time when the kids and I are most relaxed with our learning. Even though we have school year-round, we tend to take it easy during the summer months. It gives us more time for the beach (a requirement each year).

So it’s always fun to try some easy summer crafts during our learning downtime. And that’s why I love this easy paper roll rocket craft!

It’s a simple project that you can make with the kids in just a few minutes. And, if you’re studying space over the summer, it’d be a perfect fit for a solar system unit study!

Read on to see how to make this easy kids’ craft yourself!

Want more fun craft projects to try? Don’t miss our easy toilet roll butterfly craft!

Easy Paper Roll Rocket Craft for Kids

I love how simple this project is! It’s perfect for crafting with the kids during summer break. 

Plus, it’s fun to take outside and pretend to fly. Just hand one to your little one and watch them zoom around pretending to take off into space!

To make this simple paper rocket craft for kids, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

• Colored cardstock
• Paper towel roll
• Washable paint
• Scissors
• Paintbrush
• Hot glue sticks
• Hot glue gun

To start, cut the paper towel roll into two pieces. One piece should be slightly longer than the other.

We’re making two paper roll rocket crafts out of one paper towel roll.

Paint each piece of the paper towel roll. We used a yellow paint, but any color will do.

Let the paint dry completely.

Trace the lid of a mason jar or cup twice onto a colored piece of cardstock. You will be making one cone-shaped top for each rocket.

Use scissors to cut out each circle. Afterward, cut one slit to the center on each circle.

Remember: if you want the kids to help with this part, use child-safe scissors that are safe for little fingers.

Form each circle into a cone shape by pulling the two ends together. Use the hot glue gun to seal each cone closed.

NOTE: Use caution with working with hot glue around small children.

Now cut four triangles about three to four inches wide from the colored cardstock. You’ll use two of these for each rocket.

Working from the top of each triangle, cut a slit from the point down, stopping just before the bottom of each triangle.

Carefully cut four slits onto the bottom of each painted tube. Make sure that each cut is directly across from the cut on the opposite side. 

Slide one triangle up through two bottom slits. The triangle should be placed in two slits that are diagonal.

Then slide the second triangle through the other two slits. This triangle will crisscross the other, forming an X at the bottom of the rocket.

Now cut six quarter-sized circles from the colored cardstock.

Use the hot glue gun to glue three circles onto each paper towel roll.

And we’re done! Look how bright and colorful these rocket crafts are!

Such a fun and easy project for the kids!

Looking for more simple crafts? Check out these easy projects!

Want more fun craft ideas? Follow our Simple Crafts for Kids Pinterest board!