How to build an air cannon toy for kids at home

Hi there!!! Welcome to Makersgeneration, your #1 destination for cool STEAM projects for kids. Here, we provide resources on kids' school projects to keep kids and guidance educated and entertained. These project range from making cool stuff with cardboard to programming robots.

For today's project. we will learn how to build an air cannon using a plastic cup and a balloon.

Imagine you have a fancy toy that can shoot objects into the air using a special power called compressed air. This toy is called an air cannon. This device works like a super-powered air blower and can enable you to displace items from a distance using just air. Sounds cool right!!? keep reading to learn more.

Air cannon

An air cannon works by using compressed air or gas to shoot objects into the air. It's like blowing really hard but with much more force!

Here's how it works:

First, we fill a chamber with compressed air or gas. It's like blowing up a balloon or pumping air into a bike tire but on a bigger scale. This compressed air gets trapped inside the chamber, just waiting to be released.
When we're ready to launch something, we open a valve or press a button. This lets the compressed air escape from the chamber all at once. Think of it like popping a balloon or opening a bottle of soda really fast.
The rush of escaping air creates a powerful force. It pushes against the object we want to shoot and sends it flying into the air.

The Brian Jordan plastic "airzooka" (Wikipedia)

Project requirements

Plastic drinking cups
Balloons
Scissors and Knife
Tape

Assemble the air cannon toy

Step 1

Turn to the base of the plastic cup and cut out a circular hole with a knife.

Step 2

Tie a knot in the neck of the balloon, then cut off the tip of the balloon with scissors.

Tie the neck of the balloon, then cut off the tip of the balloon.

Step 3

Cover the main opening of the cup with the balloon with the tied neck facing outward.

Cover the cup's main opening with the balloon.

Step 4

Secure the balloon to the cup with tape - you want an airtight seal.

Now your air cannon is ready!

Secure the balloon to the plastic cup with tape.

Testing and workings of our Air cannon

To use it, hold onto the cup part of the cannon with one hand, and pull back on the balloon with your other hand. Stretching the balloon will create potential energy, just like pulling back on a rubber band.

Aim your air cannon at a target or an open space. Release the stretched balloon and watch as the air rushes out of the cup, propelling it forward. The escaping air pushes the cup, making it act like a projectile.

Demo video

...You can increase the air pressure by making use of a bigger cup and a bigger balloon.

Online after-school and summer camps in Silver Spring Maryland

You and your children are looking for nice activities to have fun and learn new things and skills. Come join us starting in May and this summer for more online classes such as:

Python coding for kids and teens
Coding for elementary school students
Make video games
Electronics
Digital modeling (Create cars, rockets, rings, etc) for 3D printing
and much more
with the following link: Online after-schools

And the STEM summer camp for your kids is organized in Takoma Park Maryland nearby Washington DC to have fun and learn more about robotics, coding, droning, and more. Check the link right here:

STEM Summer Camps 2023 - Silver Spring Maryland

Other cute things to make and hand-crafts for kids

If you are looking for more ideas for school projects to do with your kids, take a look at these other activities:

Newsletter, follow, subscribe, and like the social media

If you like online STEM activities, consider subscribing to the newsletter and social media for updates, and don't miss any STEM events. Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of our website ''www.makersgeneration.net'' for more events, tutorials, and freebies.