DIY Mae Jemison Jetpack Costume

by Melanie Gasmen-Fleck

In this Mae Jemison-inspired DIY from issue 2, kids will upcycle items to create a one-of-a-kind jetpack that’s totally out of this world! 

Gather these supplies: 

Things from your recycling bin (egg cartons, jar lids, etc.)

2 empty 2-liter bottles

Hot glue gun*

Scissors or precision knife*

Silver spray paint*

Two straps or ribbons

Tissue paper—orange, red, or yellow

Duct tape

2 cardboard pieces - 7.5 x 9 inches each

*Ask an adult for help!

Follow these steps: 

Step 1: Empty two 2-liter bottles and tape them together with packing tape. Spray paint the bottles, cardboard, and extras you want to use on your jetpack (we used an egg carton and lids from recycling). Let everything dry.

Step 2: Ask an adult to use an X-Acto knife to cut 4 slits in the first cardboard square, one on each corner of the square. Thread your ribbon through these slits and tie together to create straps. 

Step 3: Assemble! Ask an adult to help you hot glue your supplies onto the remaining cardboard square to create a dashboard. Hot glue your dashboard piece onto one side of the bottles. Hot glue your straps onto the opposite side of your bottles. Cut strips of tissue paper and twist the ends together to create “fire.” Glue the ends onto the inside of the bottle mouth.

Check out ur readers preparing for takeoff! Ready to launch too? Tag us @bravery_mag on IG so we don't miss it!