Flying Hot Air Balloon

Construct a tissue paper hot air ballon to demonstrate thermal energy and convection currents - hot air rises and cold air sinks. This is a fun art / science activity to go along with a weather unit. Kids can get super creative with their balloon design. After you make your balloon, test it out with cool air and hot air from a blow dryer. Hold the nozzle in the opening of your balloon to fill it up. You will notice that hot air makes the balloon rise because hot air is not as dense. 

Below is a simple video tutorial, great for kids by Gordon Dipple. You can also find a rad photo tutorial at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago. Visit the activity page of this site for more science fun!  Click here and here to check out two super cool hot air balloon projects by kids!