Paper Rocket Valentine DIY: Printable Card-Making Activity

Paper Rocket Valentine DIY: a kid’s printable card-making activity that makes a great Valentine give-away.

 

This year I wanted my boy g’littles to know I think they’re out of this world. Being normal active boys, I didn’t think glittery heart-shaped stickers would appeal to them the way they do to my girl g’littles.

Also, being normal boys, speed is an attractive aspect of any activity. This paper rocket DIY includes a speedy build AND the opportunity for speed upon completion. The speed is regulated by the power of their breaths, and I have a feeling they’ll have some mighty puffing power.

A teacher, or mom, can even turn it into a STEM activity or science experiment. The addition of fins and how they’re placed affects the distance the rocket will fly.

 

Paper Rocket Valentine DIY

I’m choosing to send the boys a do-it-yourself rocket kit, instead of assembling it for them.

Knowing my boys, this will double their fun, as they love making things. (Now if I could make a Lego kit, that would make this project golden in their eyes.)

But we’re paper people, so our rocket is a paper DIY.

Shall we start?

 

Supplies:

• red and/or white paper, or any color you choose
• paper cutter; I have this one
• scissors, glue or tape, ruler, pencil
• red foil fringe or foil ribbon taped into a strip
• heart stickers
• cellophane bags
• Click here for the printable tags with a Valentine message to shut the bags
• drinking straws

Items in bold are affiliate links. Read affiliate disclosure here

 

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Instructions for the Valentine Kit:

1. Cut copy sized paper in half the long way. Then cut it in half, twice, the opposite way. This will give you 8 rectangles.
2. I have 2 boy g’littles, so I am folding two rectangles into thirds, creating two rocket bodies.
3. Cut a piece of foil fringe to fit one end of the folded rocket.
4. Use another rectangle to cut fins: Cut it into 1.5″ x 4.25″ strips. You need two strips for each rocket. Measure the strips into thirds, and fold one third over, leaving two thirds flat. Cut the ends on an angle to look like fins. For them: The middle third will be glued to the rocket, leaving one third protruding from the center front of the rocket “pocket” and one third protruding from the side.
5. Cut the top of the rocket tube into a point.
6. Insert these pieces into two cellophane bags. Add a drinking straw and heart stickers.
7. Print the tags, cut, fold and staple to the top of the bags. Sign the Valentine tags and mail to your little Valentines!

 

Instructions to assemble rocket:

1. Fold the bigger red paper into thirds the long way. Almost thirds is fine, as long as you can glue the back closed and it’s about 1.75″ to 2″ wide.
2. Unfold the rocket and attach the red foil fringe to the center of the bottom straight edge of the rocket, on the inside.
3. Place glue on one edge of the back and the tip and fold up.
4. Glue one fin to the front of the rocket just above the fringe, and one to the back. Fold the short fins so the rocket has fins in all 4 directions.
5. Attach valentine stickers or decorate as you wish.
6. Insert drinking straw inside the rocket tube and blast off with a huge puff of air!

 

Want to make this Paper Rocket Valentine?

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