Flying Film Canisters Kit
Warning: Addictive flying film canisters!
Usually ships out the next day.
Recommend for 6 years & up with adult supervision.
Everyone loves a film canister experiment... but in this digital-age, where can you find a film canister? We’ve been asking ourselves the same thing for a long time, but now, we are bringing back film canister science. These super-sturdy film canisters are the best we’ve ever seen and were specially made for Steve Spangler Science to ensure the biggest pop. Try launching the caps OR the canisters themselves! And, unlike regular film canisters, our Flying Film Canisters have graduations on the side for accurate scientific explorations. Our activity kit includes 10 film canisters, 5 packages of Alka-Seltzer, 1 canister launcher and 1 pair of safety glasses. Lose a few canisters during your experimentation? No problem, we also sell them in bulk packages of 10 and 30. Recommended for children ages 6 and up.
What's included?
- 10 Film canisters
- 1 Pair of Safety glasses
- 5 Packages of Alka-Seltzer
- 1 Film Canister launcher
What does it teach?
When you mix Alka-Seltzer with water you are in for an explosive lesson in air pressure and motion!
Science Fair Connection:
Launching a Flying Film Canister is tons of fun, don't you think? So how could you use this simple and engaging activity for the science fair? The trick is to change a variable, create a new experiment, and then compare the results.
- Repeat the experiment using another of the pieces of Alka-Seltzer, but this time change the amount of water you put in the film canister.
- Once you've mastered the film canister rocket technique, it's time to measure how far the film canister rocket flies across the room. After each trial, write down the amount of water you used in the film canister (the variable), the size of the piece of Alka-Seltzer (this should not change because it is your control), and the distance the canister traveled. What amount of water mixed with a quarter piece of Alka-Seltzer produces the best rocket fuel?
- After you've determined the best amount of water to use, try changing the temperature of the water. How does temperature affect the speed of the reaction? Does warmer or colder water change the distance the film canister travels?
- Use another piece of Alka-Seltzer to make up your own experiment. What do you want to find out? How are you going to do it? What are you going to measure? Go ahead and experiment! Just make sure you only change one variable at a time. Document your discoveries and get ready to share them at the science fair.
Remember, when you change a variable, everything else has to stay the same. For example, if you change the amount of water you're using, you need to keep the Alka-Seltzer tablets as close to uniform as possible.
Product FAQ

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Flying Film Canisters
March 4th, 2013 -
Film Canister & Alka-Seltzer Rockets
November 30th, 2009
Click the thumbnail below to see the video.
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Will Not Disappoint!
Pinksummerfun - January 8, 2012
My kids could not stop playing with these! They were laughing and learning at the same time - a wonderful combination. This is a must for any science party! The only downside is that the canisters are actually a clear plastic color and not the neon green shown in the photo (we were hoping for neon green!). |
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Geyser Tubes
Melissa Shanley - July 16, 2011
I bought the Film Canisters and packaging for my son's birthday party. We decided to try it out before hand. After 2 boxes of Alka Seltzer, I still could not get my son to stop trying them out. He went wild with all the possible ways to make it pop in all directions. He placed paper cups and other items on top to created his own rocket ships - he was having a ball. Thanks for this simple, yet so much fun idea. |
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ending with a big bang
Anita Brandon - March 2, 2011
I teach science to Kindergateners in an after school program and I wanted to end the year with a big bang and make sure I left my students thinking Science is fun! This was the perfect project. We did this outside on the playground and turned the canisters upside down so the canister flew up and not just the lid. We experimented with different size pieces of alka seltzer and they loved it! They kept saying 'do it again, do it again'. So we did, over and over until our time was up. |
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Great for chemical reaction lessons and teaching the elements of experiments!
Genein Letford - February 12, 2011
I did this with my GATE students. We went over independant variables and constant variables and they loved it! They had to only changes the size of the tablet, or the amount of water, of the temperature of the water (warmer water makes it POP faster). Then they observed the results! Great product because it's so hard to find film canisters anymore!! :) |
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Gramma
Kathleen Messer - November 8, 2010
Took these out to camp and launched them on the beach. The three year old was more excited than the eleven year old. We attracted quite a crowd... A GREAT time was had by all !!!!!!! |
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Flying Film Canisters
Denise Thomas - October 27, 2010
The film canisters were used for an activity at our summer science camp. Teachers and campers alike loved this activity. The measurements on the canister made for more accurate investigations. |
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Changes!
Amanda - October 25, 2010
Great set with "launcher"! Students create their own "fuel mix" and test it out! |
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Awesome :)
JJ - February 18, 2010
I'm so gonna use this for my Science Fair Project! I can't wait to scare my teachers when it pops! |
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Angie Richmond, VA - December 21, 2009
This kit was so much fun. Once I got over the heart attack that resulted from the shock of how this experiment plays out, we all had a blast! It's the simple Alka-Seltzer in water creates carbon dioxide experiment but with an explosive twist. This experiment is completely safe to do indoors, but not around anything breakable. I would also definitely recommend using the included safety glasses. Luckily we had extra sets of goggles. It doesn't make much mess, juts a little spilled water. We covered the table with a garbage bag and had almost no clean up. The Flying Film Canisters Kit is a fantastic introduction to chemical reactions and the effects of air pressure. The set includes 10 film canisters, a pair of safety glasses, 5 packages of Alka-Seltzer, and 1 canister launcher. |
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Awsomee!!
Vianney Phoenix,Arizona - December 10, 2009
OMG! This Was A Biggo Help I'm going to use it for my science fair projectt!! Thankzz Steve You Really Helped Out. My Friend Brianda Said Hi!! :D |
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