How to Make Straw Launchers for Outdoor Play
By Seriously fun hands-on learning for curious kids of all ages | KiwiCo | Published: 2026-10-18
Category: How-to Guides
Build your own straw launchers with bubble tea straws and streamers. A simple DIY engineering project that turns lung power into flying fun.
Quick answer
Make straw launchers using large bubble tea straws, then customize projectile shapes with markers and streamers for lung-powered outdoor play.
Why straw launchers work for outdoor play
Straw launchers are a simple way to introduce kids to the power of air pressure and trajectory. Because they rely on lung power rather than springs or batteries, they are safe for open spaces and easy to adjust for different launch angles.
The large bubble tea straws used in this project create a wide bore that reduces resistance, making it easier for younger children to get satisfying launches. The projectile shapes you design add a creative element that keeps kids experimenting with aerodynamics.
How to build and play with straw launchers
- Assemble the launcher: Take one large bubble tea straw and attach the provided mouthpiece or simply use the straw as-is. If your kit includes a connector, push it firmly into one end of the straw to create a seal. Common mistake: If the seal is loose, air will escape and the projectile won't launch far. Check that the connector fits snugly.
- Design your projectile: Use markers to draw patterns on the provided paper or foam shapes. Attach streamers to the tail end to add drag and stability during flight. Keep the projectile light so it flies farther. Common mistake: Adding too many streamers or heavy decorations will weigh down the projectile. Start with one short streamer and test before adding more.
- Load and launch: Place the projectile into the open end of the straw. Hold the launcher at a slight upward angle, take a deep breath, and blow sharply into the mouthpiece. Watch the shape soar! Common mistake: Blowing too gently or at a flat angle will cause the projectile to drop immediately. Experiment with different angles and breath strength.
- Experiment with variations: Try different projectile shapes—long and narrow vs. short and wide—to see how they affect distance and flight path. You can also adjust the launch angle or add a second straw for extra length. Common mistake: Expecting every shape to fly the same way. Record which designs fly farthest and discuss why air resistance changes the result.
What you need
- Straw Launchers: The Straw Launchers kit includes large bubble tea size straws and materials to customize three projectile shapes with markers and streamers. The wide straws make it easier for kids to generate enough air pressure for a strong launch, and the included decorations let them personalize each projectile for different flight patterns.
Straw Launchers
