Straw Rocket Valentine That Really Flies

When it comes to fun Valentine’s Day crafts for kids, we love making homemade Valentines together.

We gather together with colorful paper, scissors and glue, and let our imaginations go wild.

The kids make homemade valentines for for their parents, grandparents, and also for friends.

My son loved making these awesome Rocket Valentines.  They are fun to make and kids love that they really fly!

These simple straw rockets are perfect if you’re looking for Valentines for boys.  Not only are they missing the typical hearts and flowers, but being able to make them fly is super cool!

Girls will love these homemade paper rockets, too.  

You may also want to check out these butterfly Valentines.

Rocket Valentine

Materials Needed:

• Construction Paper
• Drinking Straws (We used plastic, but paper straws will work with modification.)
• Orange Tissue Paper
• Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Clear Tape

Start by cutting out the paper pieces to make your rocket.

For each rocket, you will need:

• 1 large rectangle, 6 x 2 inches (15.24 x 5 cm)
• 1 large triangle with 3 inch sides (7.5 cm)
• 2 small triangles, approximately 1 inch high (2.5 cm)

If you plan to make several valentines, you may want to cut out all the pieces ahead of time.  This will make assembly go much more smoothly.

How to Make Flying Paper Rocket Valentine

Once you have your pieces ready, glue 2 small triangles to the bottom of the large rectangle so all their bases line up.  These will be the rocket’s wings.

Glue the large triangle to the top of the rectangle to form the rocket’s cone at top.  

Cut a small square on orange tissue paper and use scissors to snip one side to create a fringe.  

Use tape to secure the tissue paper to the back of the rocket, down at its base.  This will be the flames.

Cut a 2 inch (5 cm) piece of drinking straw. 

If using plastic drinking straws, we discovered using a slightly wider straw, like a fast food straw) helps make the rocket work better.   

If using paper straws, you can try creasing the straw you blow through in the next step.  Or use a wider straw.  

Tape your 2 inch piece of straw to the back of your rocket so that almost half of it sticks off the rocket, and is hidden by the tissue paper flames.  (See picture below.)

Use your finger to flatten the top portion of the straw, where it meets the rocket.  Use a piece of tape to keep the straw flat and sealed closed.  

Add a message to the front of your rocket to turn it into a Valentine.  

You may want to try one of these:

• Valentine, you’re out of this world!
• Blast off for Valentine’s Day!

If you’re only making one, you can easily hand write the message.  To make multiple valentines, you may want to type it up and print out copies to glue on.  

Once your homemade Valentine is finished, you will insert another straw into the piece of straw that is taped to the rocket.  (This is why using a wider straw earlier makes it a little easier.)

Now you have a rocket Valentine that will really fly.

Simply blow into the end of the second straw and watch the rocket fly off.   Blast off!

These rocket Valentines are so much fun for kids to make and receive.   They are definitely our favorite homemade Valentine for boys.

You may also like posts:

• Heart Crafts for Kids 
• Heart Gifts, Cards, and Treats Kids Can Make 
• 20 Adorable Homemade Valentines from The Educators’ Spin on It
• Melt the Frozen Heart Valentine’s Day Science 

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Originally posted: Feb 4, 2015