Comments on: Weekend DIY Dad Activity: How to Make a Quick-n-Easy Water Rocket

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:34:37 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting David Erik Nelson this weekend at Maker Faire Detroit. Great guy. Kids were having a ball with this project at his booth.

By: Darren

Darren — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 03:50:36 +0000

Props for using a Vernors bottle in the last photo. The project is both fun and delicious.

By: Eric Granata

Eric Granata — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 02:59:47 +0000

Hah! I’ve had this on the short list of projects to do with the kids for a couple of weeks. Now I have no excuse. BTW, for all you Makers out there with kiddos, you might like this: http://www.makershed.com/Make_School_s_Out_Summer_Fun_Guide_p/9781449332259.htm

By: Dave Lewis

Dave Lewis — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 22:43:11 +0000

Big Sis will probably have you arrested as a terrorist. I can see the news story now – “Joe Manlyman was arrested for possession of homemade rocket projectiles, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and consipring to manufacture lethal weapons.”

By: phil

phil — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 04:04:29 +0000

I’m going to try this at home with my daughter, she’ll get a kick out of this one! Great Article!

By: Jorgen

Jorgen — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 22:17:08 +0000

I used to launch these rockets with my dad when I was a kid. He crafted up a launch pad that had an electric air compressor attached and a sliding launch release plate that could be pulled with a string. Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

By: peter davis

peter davis — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:10:25 +0000

Hey guys this was great, maybe the next one could be on how to make a multi key holder

By: James

James — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 15:57:01 +0000

As a physicist and hopefully a father someday soon, I hope to be able to do this project and I think it’s a great idea! A few others that are pretty cool are building an FM transmitter and laser music converter. :-) I’ll be sharing them with you guys on my site if you’re interested. :-D Keep it up Art of Manliness, you are ever inspiring!

By: David Pablo Cohn

David Pablo Cohn — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 14:32:25 +0000

Much quicker/easier than the valve stem approach is to use the same needle that you use to fill a basketball/volleyball/football. Just poke it through the cork – no need to secure it, the friction and surface area-to-pressure ratio keeps it in place. And when you’re done, you can pull it out and continue to use it for its intended purpose.

My kids and I do this every summer – enormous fun on zero budget!

By: Ant

Ant — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 08:28:38 +0000

We made these recently and they are great fun. A simple launch pad can be made by sticking a spade into the ground with the back of the spade facing upwards. You do it at such an angle that the handle will hold the neck of the bottle. Really stable and worked great.