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How to Make a Balloon-Powered Hovercraft

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hovercraft

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • 1 4-by-7-inch foam board (A thoroughly cleaned foam meat tray works great.)
  • 1 large flex drinking straw
  • Average size balloon
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch or pencil
  • Glue gun
  • Pin
  • Tape

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Step 1. Cut out the bottom of a foam tray. Be careful not to bend it.

Step 2. Place the flat foam under the body template and trace it by poking holes with a pin along the outline of the template. Also trace the straw slot. Trace two fins and the balloon ring using the same method. Cut out the foam shapes with the scissors. Make a center hole in the balloon ring with a hole punch or a sharp pencil point. To download a template to trace click here.

Step 3. Cut a sharp angle on one end of the straw and make a flat cut on the other as shown.

Step 4. Stretch and bend the straw, then glue the balloon ring to the flat end. Stretch the balloon over the circle. Carefully glue this assembly over the straw slot so that no glue is inside the straw and none of the straw or glue is below the bottom of the body.

Step 5. Glue the two fins to the rear sides of the body.

Step 6. Make an inflating straw by taking the leftover half of the straw and cutting two 1/2-inch slots in it. Roll the end into a taper with your fingers and tape together. Use the inflating straw to blow up the balloon from the bottom.  Pinch the neck of the balloon and release on a smooth, clean floor.

HOVERCRAFT TIP

The hovercraft will work properly only on a smooth, clean floor. The bottom of the hovercraft should also be smooth and clean.


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60 Comments on How to Make a Balloon-Powered Hovercraft

  1. i luv this hovercraft of epicnesssss. It’s time to pony up! -Rainbow Dash

  2. says says says says // December 1, 2013 at 4:23 pm // Reply

    you said it j man

  3. seems kool ill need to try it

  4. Fire ball 25 // June 3, 2013 at 8:05 pm // Reply

    Awesome boss epic crazy sweet as candy

  5. How about it // June 3, 2013 at 11:47 am // Reply

    If you put wheels on it, it will be a air powered car

  6. scouter101 // May 30, 2013 at 11:01 am // Reply

    i just need the baloon and the straw and im ready to go

  7. i love it

  8. i might just try this! :]

  9. Made this. Awesome

  10. readie215 // May 23, 2013 at 4:37 pm // Reply

    I tried a different model and it didn’t work =(

  11. Thundurus guy // May 22, 2013 at 7:17 pm // Reply

    I am going to do this in 5 weeks

  12. awsome

  13. Bat says: // May 21, 2013 at 9:59 pm // Reply

    Cool and awsome

  14. seems easy

  15. lily been // May 20, 2013 at 8:31 pm // Reply

    it is cool

  16. Maybe I will try it

  17. shadow rider640 // May 17, 2013 at 5:16 pm // Reply

    Wow that sounds really cool.

  18. rocknrollrobots25 // May 14, 2013 at 8:16 pm // Reply

    🙂 gonna be doing this as a fun activity for some GATE elementary kids (outreach for my robotics team)

  19. doing it for science project. sounds fun.

  20. migdet in a high jump contest // October 18, 2012 at 8:18 pm // Reply

    sounds cool

  21. i think it is cool

  22. baboon says // August 6, 2012 at 8:38 am // Reply

    best thing i ever saw

  23. 9 tailed fox // July 24, 2012 at 11:01 pm // Reply

    awesome

  24. it will never work

  25. cool!

  26. aswome cool!!!!!!! :-),

  27. this seems like a very interesting project i will for sure have to try it out once i get the materials! 😀
    <3LOVE ME

  28. this seems like a very interesting project i will for sure have to try it out once i get the materials

  29. did nt work fr me

  30. cool man it worked for me

  31. i cant.i dont have the stuff

  32. this is sick thx for the help

  33. lego man 22222222222221 // November 23, 2011 at 12:38 pm // Reply

    i’m going to try it

  34. i have built it with my cub scouts and they did work with time and patience!!!!

  35. I do not have the matireals

  36. i tried it it did,nt work

  37. i like this… it is to bad i do not have what i need. 🙁

  38. dos it even work

  39. I got all the materials and cut everything to size, i just have to assemble it.

  40. has anyone actually tried this and have it work??

  41. I don’t get the inflating straw

  42. ithink im gonna try it

  43. Who thinks the hovercraft will work or won’t work?

  44. I think making a hovercraft would be so cool!

  45. Wood a elmer’s glue work insted?

  46. what is the balloon powerd hovercraft all about

  47. pony girl // May 12, 2011 at 1:27 pm // Reply

    i love hovercraft

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