{"id":553,"date":"2022-03-10T21:44:54","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T21:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dadstuffsite.com\/?p=553"},"modified":"2023-08-25T11:49:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T11:49:35","slug":"best-beginner-model-rockets-to-build-and-launch-with-your-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dadstuffsite.com\/best-beginner-model-rockets-to-build-and-launch-with-your-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Beginner Model Rockets to Build and Launch with Your Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"
We may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this post, at no additional cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I loved building model rockets as a kid. I loved the whole process from building it, painting it, and of course launching it. And while life has forced me to take a break from my childhood hobby, I\u2019m beyond excited about my kids being old enough to teach them how to launch their first rockets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as I reenter the field of model rocketry, I\u2019ve noticed that it\u2019s changed quite a bit from when I last picked whatever cool kit was at the local hobby shop. Suddenly the fiddly balsa fins are no longer the only option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus began my next deep dive, this time into the world of rockets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some great companies out there making some cool rockets right now (check out https:\/\/www.apogeerockets.com<\/a> to see some of the many kits that are on the market right now. This is not an affiliate link. They just have lots of cool stuff!) but the best place to get started with is Estes. They\u2019ve been around forever and make a ton of model rocket kits and components that range from beginner to advanced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The good news is Estes now labels their rocket kits into 5 levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, and Master. One of the issues I\u2019ve noticed though is that this is a relatively new system, so if you have ever flown rockets as a kid, the new classification system is not what you grew up with. What once was a Level 1 beginner rocket, is now classified as Intermediate. It makes my head hurt too, but don\u2019t worry, I\u2019ve done the legwork for you and this will hopefully clear things up. <\/p>\n\n\n Generally, we can classify the way Estes rockets are built into four categories: Ready to Fly, Almost Ready to Fly, Snap Together, and Assembly Required. These are not categories defined by Estes, so you won’t find these labels on the kit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready to Fly<\/strong> is just that. The rocket is completely built and ready to be prepped for launch right out of the box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost Ready to Fly<\/strong> needs minimal assembly. The fins are in a single plastic piece that needs to be glued to the main body of the rocket. You usually need to glue an engine mount, but nothing super complicated. This would need some supervision for kids to assemble as there are important cuts that need to be made (but no fiddly balsa tail fins here). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Snap Together<\/strong> kits have molded plastic for the fin and engine components. Putting this together sometimes involves gluing together the engine\/fin mount, but it is in some ways simpler than the Almost Ready to Fly (But not by much. I would still supervise my kiddos). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recently Estes is updating how their snap together rockets are assembled. The older version requires gluing and the newer version does not. I have found the kits with no glue to be super easy to assemble. I’ve differentiated the two with types in the graph below. <\/p>\n\n\n Assembly Required<\/strong> involves removing laser cut balsa fins, sanding, and gluing them onto the rocket body\/tube. It\u2019s not particularly difficult, but can be tricky and the precision needed is beyond what my 8- and 6- year old kids can do. Any Estes kits that used to be classified as a Level 1 (that are Assembly Required) are now labeled as Intermediate in the new Estes classification system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unless you have super fond memories of gluing the fins, I wouldn\u2019t recommend this for your first flight with young kids. Unless you and your kids really like the assembly process, I would start with one of the other types of kits and move up to this. I think Estes is right to recategorize these into the intermediate section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If this is the route you want to go and really want to build your own, then make this your pick. If you\u2019re adventurous enough to do this yourself, then by all means, pick out something in the intermediate level and have fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a chart of the Beginner and Intermediate rockets made by Estes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So which rocket do you start out with? Well it depends on how hands-on you want to be. I know some dads that want it ready to go out of the box, where as some (like myself) really enjoy the building process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the major reasons I\u2019ve included the following suggestions is that they all come as a kit with a rocket launch pad (do not cheap out and think you can launch without a launch pad. It\u2019s super dangerous.) and battery-powered launch controller. (You also don\u2019t want to skip this. Don\u2019t go sticking a fuse or using a lighter to ignite the engine. It\u2019s just a bad idea.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the suggestions below come in a kit. If you have an old rocket launch pad or ignition controller (or if you\u2019re an electronics junkie and made your own controller\u2026I think I foresee a build article on this\u2026), you can get all the same rockets in a non-kit, rocket-only version. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So here are my suggestions for where to start out. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTypes of Beginner Rockets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rocket Name<\/strong><\/td> Estes Level<\/strong><\/td> Build Type<\/strong><\/td> Engine Type<\/strong><\/td> Available as a set?<\/strong><\/td> Brand<\/strong><\/td> Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Astroc<\/a>am<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap Together (no glue)<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td> yes\/rocket<\/a> and starter set<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Includes a USB video camera<\/td><\/tr> Blue Origin New Shepard<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Ready to fly<\/td> C5-3<\/a>, C6-3<\/a><\/td> yes\/rocket<\/a> and starter set<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Scale model; Payload bay in nose cone<\/td><\/tr> Cadet<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Almost ready to fly<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> r<\/a>ocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Destination Mars Leaper<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Ready to fly<\/td> A10-0T<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Looks like an action figure with a rocket engine<\/td><\/tr> Ghost Chaser<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap Together (no glue)<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Transparent cargo section for payloads<\/td><\/tr> Gn<\/a>ome<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Almost Ready to Fly<\/td> 1\/4A3-3T<\/a>, 1\/2A3-2T<\/a>, 1\/2A3-4T<\/a>, A3-4T<\/a>, A10-3T<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Narrow body; uses mini engines<\/td><\/tr> Illusion<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap Together (no glue)<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> NASA SLS (Space Launch System)<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Ready to fly<\/td> C5-3<\/a>, C6-3<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Scale model<\/td><\/tr> Neon <\/a>Tiger<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> B6-2<\/a>, C5-3<\/a>, C6-3<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Detachable glider tube<\/td><\/tr> Rocket Science Starter Set<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Almost ready to fly<\/td> 1\/2A6-2<\/a>, A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, B6<\/a>–<\/a>6<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> starter set only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Only available as a starter set; includes 2 engines, starters, launch pad, ingition system, altitude tracker<\/td><\/tr> Solo<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> B6-2<\/a>, C5-3<\/a>, C6-3<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Detachable glider tube<\/td><\/tr> Space Corps Centurion<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Ready to fly<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td> yes\/rocket<\/a> and launch set<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Fictional space fighter<\/td><\/tr> Star Hopper<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together (no glue)<\/td> 1\/2A3-4T<\/a>, A3-4T<\/a>, A10-3T<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Uses mini engines; Based on rumored 1950s secret project to counter the \u201cflying saucer threat.\u201d<\/td><\/tr> Terra <\/a>GLM<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Hypothetical ground launch missle scale model<\/td><\/tr> Firehawk<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> 1\/4A3-3T<\/a>, 1\/2A3-2T<\/a>, A3-4T<\/a>, A10-3T<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket; thinner; uses mini engines<\/td><\/tr> Phant<\/a>om<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Almost ready to (not) fly<\/td> Display only\/non-flying<\/td> ro<\/a>c<\/a>ket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket with all clear components; non-flying<\/td><\/tr> Alpha III<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Almost ready to fly<\/td> 1\/2A6-2<\/a>, A8-3<\/a>, A8-5<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, B6-6<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> yes\/rocket<\/a> and launch set<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Go-to beginner rocket<\/td><\/tr> Riptide<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Ready to fly<\/td> B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td> yes\/launch set only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Journ<\/a>ey<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> yes\/launch set only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Tandem-X Launc<\/a>h Set<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> Amazon : B4-2<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-2<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-3<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>
Crossfire ISX : A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td>yes\/launch set only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Includes two rockets: Amazon (tall), Crossfire (short and fast)<\/td><\/tr> Flash Launch Set<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together (no glue)<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> yes\/launch set only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Taser Launch Set<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, B6-6<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> yes\/launch set only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard Rocket<\/td><\/tr> Rascal and HiJinks Launch Set<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> yes\/launch set only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard Rocket<\/td><\/tr> Generic E2X<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Almost ready to fly<\/td> 1\/2A6-2<\/a>, A8-3<\/a>, A8-5<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, B6-6,<\/a> C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard Rocket<\/td><\/tr> Tech-Pak Scratch Build<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Assembly required<\/td> 1\/2A6-2<\/a>, A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, B6-6<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Should belong to the Intermediate series; lots of assembly required including balsa fins and making your own body tube<\/td><\/tr> Saturn V (1:200 Scale)<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Ready to fly<\/td> C5-3<\/a>, C6-3<\/a><\/td> yes\/rocket<\/a> and starter set<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Scale model of the Saturn V rocket<\/td><\/tr> Dragonite<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together (no glue)<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard Rocket<\/td><\/tr> 3 Bandits<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> 1\/2A3-4T<\/a>, A3-4T<\/a>, A10-3T<\/a><\/td> rockets only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> 3 standard rockets; thinner; uses mini engines<\/td><\/tr> Athe<\/a>na<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Ready to fly<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Power Patrol<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together (no glue)<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Spirit<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together (no glue)<\/td> B4-2<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-2<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-3<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Chille<\/a>r<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together (no glue)<\/td> B4-2<\/a>, B6-2<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-3<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Space Crater<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> With egg : C5-3<\/a>, C6-3<\/a>
Without egg : B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a><\/td>roc<\/a>k<\/a>et only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Payload bay in nose cone can carry an egg<\/td><\/tr> Double Ringer<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together <\/td> B6-2<\/a>, C6-3<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> 2 Detachable glider tubes<\/td><\/tr> Destination Mars MAV<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> C5-3<\/a>, C6-3<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Inspired by the future mission to Mars<\/td><\/tr> Starship Octavius<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together (no glue)<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Phantom Blue<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together (no glue)<\/td> A8-3<\/a>, B4-4<\/a>, B6-4<\/a>, C6-5<\/a>, C6-7<\/a><\/td> rocket only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Standard rocket<\/td><\/tr> Destination Mars Colonizer<\/a><\/td> Beginner<\/td> Snap together<\/td> C5-3<\/a>, C6-3<\/a><\/td> yes\/starter set only<\/a><\/td> Estes<\/td> Like MAV but as a kit and different colors<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> Where to Start: What’s the Best Beginner Kit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Best Beginner Rocket Kit: Ready to Fly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n