Rocketry is one of those things that is often said to be a great STEM project for boys, but I find that girls also love learning how engines work and fuel burns to create the energy needed for a rocket to work. This list of best rocketry sets and guides is just what you need to begin working with rockets and your kids for added fun and STEM learning on the weekends.
Best Rocketry Sets and Guides
Tools to build your own rocket: These tools are what you need if you plan to build your own rocket from scratch. You’ll likely want to look at many guides and books before beginning, but these basic items are a must.
- Estes Recovery Wadding
- Estes Nose Cones
- Estes Paper Tube Model Kit
- Estes Standard Engine
- Estes Mini To Standard Engine Adapter
I find that engines are harder to locate online than other components. You may find great luck at your local hobby store, or specifically Hobby Lobby finding multiple sizes of engines.
Rocketry guides and books: Before you blindly build a rocket with your kids, you’ll want to understand how it works and what is needed. These basic guides are ideal for beginners and will be just what you need to focus and create the rockets your kids want to build for fun. For fun, I’ve also included a few books about the history of rocketry to encourage and teach your kids.
- Rocket Surgery Made Easy
- Rise of the Rocket Girls
- Handbook of Model Rocketry
- Rocket Men: The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon
- Introduction To Rocket Science and Engineering {This book is very in depth and for a higher grade level of understanding}
Water rocket kits: Using water as fuel to force a rocket upward is a super safe and easy option, to begin with. This list of water rockets and water rocketry kits is great to start your journey and help teach STEM to your kids by showing them the various functions and how water can be energy.
- 4M Water Rocket Kit
- Quest Aerospace Single Water Rocket
- Stratofins Water Rocket Kit
Cars powered by rocketry: One of those fun things you learn when building rockets, is that rocketry is also a great fuel for many things – not just air travel. These fun dragster cars are ideal for kids who love cars and rocketry. It’s the best of both worlds! This is the only brand I have found easily available, but you can choose different colors and may be able to find others online or in stores with further searching.
Best rocketry sets: Estes is the top brand in rocketry kits for at home use. This list includes our favorites for size, variety, and overall visual appeal. While they all work basically the same, this list gives you easy options for choosing something you and your kids will enjoy building together.
- Estes 2183 Shuttle Express Flying Model Rocket Kit
- Estes Sizzler Model Rocket Kit
- 4M Cosmic Rocket Kit
- Estes Rocket Crayon Model Rocket Kit
- Estes Dark Zero Model Rocket Kit
- Estes Mix and Match 55 Model Kit
Getting your kids involved in the world of rocketry is a wonderful STEM experience. If they have already expressed an interest in rockets, this list of fun tools and guides will help you to share that love with them easily. Grab some or all of these rocketry sets and guides for your kids!
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