Wind-Powered Balloon Hovercraft Challenge
⚠️ Safety Warning
Adult supervision needed for hot glue gun. Don't let small children play with uninflated balloons.
All experiments require adult supervision.
Materials You'll Need
Gather these 5 items before starting
💡 Tip: Check off items as you gather them to stay organized!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these 8 steps carefully
In this challenge, use hot glue to attach the pop-up bottle cap over the center hole of the CD.
Make sure the seal is airtight all the way around.
Close the pop-up cap so no air escapes.
Inflate the balloon and stretch its opening over the bottle cap.
Place the CD on a smooth, flat surface like a table or hard floor.
Open the pop-up cap slightly to let air flow.
Give the CD a gentle push and watch it glide across the surface!
Time how long it hovers and try different balloon sizes.
✅ Remember: Take your time with each step and ask an adult for help if needed!
The Science Behind It 🔬
The balloon hovercraft works on the same principle as a real hovercraft! The air from the balloon flows through the cap and creates a thin cushion of air between the CD and the surface. This air cushion dramatically reduces friction — the force that normally stops objects from sliding. With almost no friction, even a tiny push sends the CD gliding across the surface. Real hovercrafts use powerful fans to create this same air cushion, allowing them to travel over water, ice, and land! The physics behind this experiment was first discovered hundreds of years ago and is still being studied today.