Rocket Ship
Ready to launch
Put your new skills to the test by building your very own Rocket Ship! This project brings together everything you've learned about your tools.
For this project, you will need:
ChompSaw
You’ll need your ChompSaw handy to cut out all your parts.
Hole Punch
Your Hole Punch will help you create clean, precise holes in your parts.
Scoring Tool
Your Scoring Tool will help you crease, strip, and fold your cardboard parts.
Cardboard
The main material that you’ll need to collect is cardboard! Try to find pieces that are 2-3mm thick.
Scissors
You'll need a pair of scissors to cut out your paper pattern.
Glue stick
You’ll use glue to stick your paper pattern on to cardboard.
Double-sided tape or glue
These will help you stick all your parts together. Double-sided tape may be easier to work with, but strong glue can work in a pinch!
Something to draw with
Grab some markers or coloring pencils to help bring your Rocket Ship to life!
1) Cut out your parts
Tip: Follow our Pattern Guide
Learn how to read patterns and prepare parts for assembly with our ChompShop Pattern Guide. For this intro project, we’ll also walk you through all those steps here.
1. Print and color
Print out and color in your parts. Download the Rocket Ship pattern here!
2. Draw your pilot
Who’s flying the ship? Draw your pilot in the astronaut hub (part F).
3. Cut out paper parts
Take your paper pattern and cut around each part with scissors—make sure to leave some room around the edges!
4. Glue parts to cardboard
Use a glue stick to glue each pattern part on to cardboard.
Tip: Follow the flute
When you glue the flames (part B), make sure the arrow points in the same direction as the cardboard flutes (the ridges in the inside layer).
5. Drill your window hole
Use your Hole Punch to drill a hole for the window on the rocket body (part A). The green circle on your pattern will tell you which size to punch!
6. Cut out your parts
Use your ChompSaw to cut out all your parts (follow the solid black lines).
7. Tidy up window hole
Use your ChompSaw to cut around the hole and clean up the edges of the window on part A.
2) Remove surfaces and fold parts
1. Remove surface on part B
Look for squiggly yellow lines on the flames (part B). Use your Scoring Tool to score, split, and peel that top layer off.
2. Score parts E and F
Score the base (part E) and astronaut hub (part F) along the red and blue dashed lines. For blue lines, make sure to flip over and score the back of the cardboard!
3. Fold along lines
Now fold along those scored lines. Make sure to fold blue lines into mountain folds and red lines into valley folds.
3) Assemble parts
1. Tape/glue part B
Add tape/glue to the yellow checkered section of the flames (part B).
2. Attach to part A
Attach the flames (part B) to the back of the rocket body (part A). Make sure the ridged side of the flames faces forward.
3. Tape/glue parts C and D
Add tape/glue to the back (flip the cardboard!) of the purple checkered section on the fins (parts C and D) .
4. Attach parts C and D
Attach the fins (parts C and D) to the front of the rocket body (part A).
5. Tape/glue top of part F
Add tape/glue to the yellow checkered section of the astronaut hub (part F).
6. Attach top of part F
Attach the astronaut hub (part F) to the back of the rocket body (part A). You should see your astronaut peeking out the window!
7. Tape/glue part E
Add tape/glue to the back (flip the cardboard!) of the purple checkered section on the base (part E).
8. Attach part E
Attach the base (part E) to the back of the flames (part B). Make sure that the edge lines up with the top of part B.
9. Tape/glue bottom of part F
Add tape/glue to the back (flip the cardboard!) of the purple checkered section on the astronaut hub (part F).
10. Attach bottom of part F
Attach the astronaut hub (part F) to the red square on the base (part E) to complete your ship.
Done!
Great job—your Rocket Ship is ready to launch!
