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Hot air balloon

A hot air balloon contains air that is warmer and less dense than the air around it. This is why the balloon floats upwards.

Here's how to make your own hot air balloon.

Materials

  • 2 packets of tissue paper            (2 colours)
  • Thin cardboard 45cm x 5cm
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Hairdryer

What to do

  1. Cut out five squares and four wedge-shaped pieces of tissue paper as per the sizes and colour/shape quantities in the diagrams below.
  2. Glue the pieces together, making a cross shape. Then glue together the edges of the cross by pressing them together, making sure the edges are airtight.
  3. Cover one side of the rectangle piece of cardboard with glue. Stick the cardboard around the balloon's neck until it joins and makes a ring.
  4. With a friend carefully holding the balloon, point a hairdryer through the cardboard ring and blow its hot air into the tissue paper balloon. As the balloon fills with warm air, it will float upwards (see picture of Socket above).