Tea Bag Rockets Science Experiment for Kids
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If you’re looking for a quick, simple, and totally mesmerizing science experiment, you’ll love Tea Bag Rockets! This easy physics activity uses nothing but a tea bag and a lighter to demonstrate how heat rises through convection. Kids are always amazed when the empty tea bag burns down, then suddenly floats up into the air like a tiny rocket! We have done this one so many times over the years, but I realized I never wrote a post about it!
And if you’re doing this experiment around Halloween, you can add a fun seasonal twist by turning them into Ghost Rockets — just draw spooky faces on the tea bags before launching them.
What Are Tea Bag Rockets?
Tea bag rockets are made by lighting an empty tea bag that has been formed into a cylinder. As the fire burns, the hot air inside causes the lightweight cylinder to float up into the air like a rocket. By adding ghost faces to the tea bags, you can transform this fun physics experiment into a spooky Halloween science activity.
Materials You’ll Need
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1–2 plain tea bags- paper, not plastic (stapled or tied top bags work best)
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Scissors
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A lighter or match (adult use only)
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A non-flammable surface (baking tray, concrete patio, tile floor)
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Optional: Markers (black or colored) to draw ghost faces
Instructions: How to Make Tea Bag Ghost Rockets
Prepare the Tea Bag: Carefully cut off the top of the tea bag and dump out the tea leaves. Open it up fully, then flatten the paper. If you don’t want to waste the tea, dump it into a mug to drink later! (Don’t have tea bags? Try tissue paper. I haven’t done it, but it could work!)
Create the Cylinder: Stand the empty tea bag upright and form it into a cylinder or tube shape. Balance it carefully on a safe, flat surface.
Optional- Add the Ghost Face: Using a marker, draw a simple ghost face on the tea bag cylinder. You now have a little “ghost” ready to launch!
Light the Rocket (Adult supervision required): Carefully light the top edge of the tea bag. As it burns down, the heat will rise inside the cylinder. Just before it burns completely, the teabag ghost will suddenly lift off and float into the air. Watch closely—this happens quickly!
Watch it:
The Science Behind Ghost Rockets
This experiment works because of convection and buoyancy of hot air.
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As the tea bag burns, it creates hot air inside the cylinder.
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Hot air is lighter than cooler surrounding air.
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When the cylinder gets light enough (because most of the paper has burned away), the hot air lifts it into the air like a mini hot air balloon. This creates a convection current.
This is the same principle that allows hot-air balloons to fly. Pretty cool, right?
Safety Notes
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Always have an adult light the tea bags.
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Conduct this activity on a non-flammable surface such as a concrete patio, metal baking sheet, or tiled kitchen floor.
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Keep a cup of water nearby just in case.
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Do not attempt indoors near curtains, rugs, or anything flammable.
Tea Bag Rockets are the perfect mix of fun, silly, and scientific. They take just a few minutes to set up but create an unforgettable “WOW” moment for kids. Plus, they’re a great way to sneak in a lesson about heat, air, and convection.
So grab a few tea bags, let your little rockets fly, and enjoy a bit of science magic!
See More Awesome Science Experiment for Kids:
Pretend Play Anatomy Lab: A Hands-On Halloween Science Activity
Balloon Rocket Science Experiment for Kids
