Build Your DIY Cardboard Rocket Ship and Jetpack | Elmer's

Soar across space in your cardboard rocket ship or take flight with a cardboard jetpack of your very own! Easily learn how to make a cardboard rocket for a quick kids' craft using cardboard from around the house. Build your favorite forms of space transportation with these simple cardboard cutout instructions.

Send little astronauts to the cosmos as they learn how to make a cardboard cutout rocket ship and jetpack using the Elmer's Build It Tools Starter Set.

Cardboard Rocket Ship and Jetpack Instructional

Supplies:

  • Cardboard Boxes

Elmer's Build It Tools Starter Set:

  • Holepunch & Screwdriver

  • Kid-Safe Cardboard Cutting Tool

  • Screws

  • Flat Brackets

  • 90" Brackets

 

Instructions:

How to Make a Cardboard Jetpack!

  1. Gather cardboard boxes, Holepunch & Screwdriver, Kid-Safe Cardboard Cutting Tool, Screws, and Brackets.

  2. With a firm hold on your Cardboard Cutting Tool, take 1 box and cut out 4 rectangles and 2 cardboard jetpack wing shapes, as pictured. Fold the edge of each wing, as shown.

  3. Gather 1 cardboard box and your 6 cardboard cutouts. Center your closed box and place your cardboard jetpack wings on the left and right sides of the box. Then, attach the wings with 90˚ Brackets and connect the center box flaps with a Flat Bracket using your Screws.

  4. Connect your rectangle cardboard cutouts by top to bottom with Screws for 2 pairs of extended rectangles. These will be your 2 jetpack STRAPS. Then, attach the ends of each STRAP to the top and bottom of your centered cardboard box with Screws.

  5. Shoot for the stars in your new cardboard jetpack!

 

How to Make a Cardboard Rocket Ship!

  1. Gather cardboard boxes, Holepunch & Screwdriver, Kid-Safe Cardboard Cutting Tool, Screws, and Brackets.

  2. Take 1 cardboard box and cut out 4 equilateral triangles with your Cardboard Cutting Tool. Then, cut out 3 isosceles triangles and crease and fold 1 side of each. Take another box and outline a circle in the middle of 1 side, then use the Cardboard Cutting Tool to cut out the circle window where you'll look out into the galaxy!

  3. Stack the top of your rocket ship cardboard piece onto the open box and place the 3 folded isosceles triangles on the side with the hole, and the left and right sides of the box. Use your Screws to connect each with your Screwdriver, as pictured.

  4. Connect your 4 equilateral triangles with 90˚ Brackets at each corner and use your Screws and Screwdriver to secure each cardboard cutout. Place it on the top of your DIY cardboard rocket ship.

  5. Get ready for lift off in your new cardboard rocket!

 

NOTE: Elmer’s Kid-Safe Cardboard Cutting Tool should always be in the protective sleeve when not in use.

 

Summary

Elmer's Build It Tools turn your child's imagination into real-life cardboard cutout creations. Our kid-safe cardboard cutting and connecting supplies safely and easily create cardboard crafts for kids ages 6+. Ensure safety even when tools aren't in use with the additional security of the snap-on protective sleeve for our Kid-Safe Cardboard Cutting Tool.

 

*Adult supervision required.

 

Click here to download a PDF of all Elmer's Build It Project Instructions.