Have you ever wanted to make your own hot air balloon and watch how gracefully it flies into the night sky? Making hot air balloons is not as difficult or expensive as you might think! This article will show you how to make a mini hot air balloon that can actually fly with just a plastic bag, some straws, and a few birthday candles.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Getting Started
Step 1. Look for a thin plastic bag
The best option for this project is a thin, inexpensive plastic trash bag. Plastic bags should be transparent or clear. Do not use regular trash bags as they will be too heavy. If you don't have one, you can also use a plastic laundry bag (choose the one you usually use for t-shirts) and don't forget to close the hole at the top.
Do not use a plastic bag. It's too small and too heavy
Step 2. Make sure the plastic bag has no holes
To check, use a small fan. Point the plastic bag opening in front of the fan. Make sure there are no gaps, then turn on the fan. The plastic bag will inflate with air like a balloon. If not, it means there is a hole in the plastic. Find the hole, then cover it with tape.
Step 3. Read the weather forecast if you plan to fly the balloon outdoors
Choose a cool day as balloons don't fly well on a hot day. Make sure no wind is blowing as even a light breeze can derail your attempts to fly the hot air balloon. The best time to fly a hot air balloon is at dawn or dusk because the weather is the calmest.
Cold air with high atmospheric pressure is ideal for flying hot air balloons
Step 4. Choose a spacious and empty room if you plan to fly the hot air balloon indoors
It's not impossible to fly a hot air balloon indoors, but you need a large space, without curtains or carpet. If the hot air balloon lands near carpet or curtains, a fire may occur. The best places to fly a hot air balloon are in the garage or school sports hall.
Step 5. Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher near the work area
You will work with fire. So, make sure you take security measures. If you are a child, ask your parents to supervise while working on this project.
Part 2 of 4: Making a Basket
Step 1. Cut the aluminum foil with a size of 10x10 cm
This aluminum foil will be made into a basket. Be careful because the edges are sharp.
Step 2. Make four dots inside the aluminum foil box using a marker
Each point should be about 2.5 cm from each corner. It is at this point that the candle will be set.
Step 3. Take 2 birthday candles, then cut them in half
This will make the balloon lighter and easier to fly.
Step 4. Scrape off the wax on the bottom wax piece to expose the wick
You can see that the top piece of candle has a wick, but the bottom piece doesn't. Use your fingernail to scrape off the bottom end of the wax until you see the wick. When you're done, you'll have 4 mini birthday candles.
Step 5. Melt the bottom of each candle and stick it over the dot
Use a lighter to melt the bottom of the candle. Wait for a few drops of wax to drip over the dot. After that, stick the candle on top of the melted wax. Hold the candle in an upright position until the melted wax hardens. Do the same for the other three candles.
If you are a child, ask your parents for help to do this step
Step 6. Fold the edges of the aluminum foil about 6-12 mm to make a basket
Be careful not to touch the wax while doing this. The candle will come off easily. The sides of the basket will help catch any melted or dripping wax.
Part 3 of 4: Creating the Support Frame
Step 1. Measure the length of the plastic bag opening
Place a ruler over the opening of the plastic bag. Record the results obtained. This number will be the length for the frame.
Step 2. Make two long sticks from straws according to the measurements above
To connect a straw that is too short, make a small incision at the bottom of the straw. Insert the sliced part into a whole straw. Wrap a piece of tape to secure the joint. Continue this process until you get a rod that is the same length as the width of the plastic bag.
If you are using a bendable straw, cut off the section
Step 3. Make a cross or X with the two straws that have been connected
Find the center of one of the straw sticks. Rock the other rod on top of it.
Step 4. Use masking tape to hold the two straws together
Do not use too much tape as this will make the frame too heavy. The best tape is a thin clear tape. The paper tape may be too heavy.
Step 5. Consider using balsa wood as the frame
Purchase a few thin sticks of balsa wood at an arts or crafts store. The cross section of the wood is square or square if you look at it from above. Cut the wood to the required length. Apply a drop of wood glue in the middle of one of the sticks. Glue another stick on top so that it forms a cross or X. Wait for the glue to dry.
- Try to buy the thinnest wood because it is the lightest in weight so it is easier to fly.
- Do not buy dowels as they are not made of balsa wood and will be too heavy.
Part 4 of 4: Assembling and Flying Hot Air Balloons
Step 1. Place the candle basket on top of the straw frame
If you look at the design from above, the candle should be placed between the straws. This is very important. If a candle is placed over a straw, the heat will burn and melt the straw. This condition will also cause an unbalanced weight distribution.
Step 2. Use tape to attach the tray to the frame
Take a piece of clear tape and stick it to one of the sleeves of the X. Press the tape against the bottom of the tray. Do the same for the three arms on the other side of the tray.
Step 3. Glue the plastic bag opening to the frame
Use tape to attach one corner of the plastic bag to the frame. Tape the opposite corner of the plastic bag to the other end of the frame with tape. Do the same with the other two sides. You will make a square hole.
Step 4. Tie a long piece of thread to the frame and hold the thread
You can also tie yarn to a table, chair, or fence. This step is very important. If you don't, the hot air balloon will easily fly to unattainable or uncapable heights. Choose a thin and light thread, such as sewing thread.
Step 5. Place the hot air balloon on a flat surface and lift the plastic bag over the candle
Try to hold the plastic bag as tight as possible. It may be easier to do this step and the next with a friend.
Step 6. Light the candle
Be careful not to bump or push the wax off or burn the plastic. Matches with long stems may be the best choice for this purpose. If you are a child, ask your parents to help light the candles.
Step 7. Continue to hold the dome of the balloon until it is filled with air and can stand on its own
This will take about 1 minute.
Step 8. Release the balloon
The hot air balloon will not fly right away, but after a while the balloon will start to rise on its own. Make sure you hold onto the thread or tie it to something. The hot air balloon will be in the air as long as the candle is burning.
Tips
- You may need more wax, depending on the size and weight of the hot air balloon.
- Consider using a plastic bag made of biodegradable material in case the balloon flies away and gets lost.
- The bigger the plastic bag, the more hot air it can hold, and the balloon will fly the better.
Warning
- Do not fly the hot air balloon near trees, curtains, or dry grass.
- Make sure you always take fire safety measures and have a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Be careful not to accidentally burn the balloon when filling it with hot air.
- Be aware that hot air balloons can catch fire or fall.
