Best Model Rockets of 2025

“I found it very easy to put together. It's the best first rocket model kit for kids. The rocket feels really solid.”

“This was such a fun experience for all of us. Watching the kids' faces light up when the rocket soared was priceless. I would definitely recommend it.”

“I bought this for my Godson, and he thinks it's fab! His mom mentioned that it was easy to set up and provides them with hours of fun.”

"These rockets were a HUGE hit with my grandkids. They assembled SUPER fast and easy. The launches went great! We've launched each rocket multiple times and the rockets are still intact and ready for more fun."

"The construction was a fun little project with the kids. We decorated them and taught the kids our phone number. After 9 launches in just over an hour, the kids loved it, and I heard 'you're the best dad ever' about 20 times!"

"I found the 3 pack to be a good value. They enjoyed assembling the rockets, but did need help with some parts. We launched them a week ago, and the kids loved it, although the small decals were frustrating for them."

"I love how this company makes it so easy for our co-op to organize rockets and propelling classes. I would definitely purchase again!"

"For our July 4th gatherings, we send rockets in advance for guests to build and decorate. It's a blast, and they're safer than traditional fireworks, plus they don't scare our dogs!"

"I had a group of Kindergarten-3rd grade students build these rockets with some prep work from me. They managed to assemble and glue everything well, but we faced a challenge with the stickers not being pre-perforated. Next time, I'll use regular stickers for easier decorating."

"At 51 years young, I just ordered another Big Bertha—the first rocket I built solo as a pre-teen Estes enthusiast. I haven’t built it yet, as I plan to savor the entire construction process. I’m considering using more paint than usual, which might increase the weight, giving Big Bertha an even slower, scale-like liftoff. I’m not seeking altitude, just a visually appealing rocket. This build requires some patience, especially when sanding the thick fins to shape them. Unlike my other rockets, I’ll use a large nylon parachute for a slow, dramatic descent. Just thinking about building this rocket fills me with excitement!"

"Big Bertha is a blast from the past! It was easy to assemble and painting was only mildly challenging. Preparing for launch is a breeze. The build process is straightforward with a typical engine mount and four balsa fins. While two fins do need separate painting, it’s manageable with just three decals. The large cargo space makes packing recovery wadding and parachutes easy. The flight is stable, and tracking this tall rocket is simple. It offers a realistic takeoff, although not as slow as advertised. For a more gradual lift-off, I’d recommend looking into the Super Big Bertha."

"I think this thing is pretty cool! I painted the whole thing black since that’s what I had on hand. I wanted to share my thoughts on it before I launch because I may not get it back! I had a bit of trouble aligning the fins, but after a few attempts, it turned out alright. My go-to glue for making rockets is hot glue as it’s sturdy, easy to shape, and dries almost instantly. The only downside is it can get messy, and you need to be quick and precise with it! Overall, it was a fun and simple build that's perfect for beginners, provided you don’t mind painting."

"I was thrilled when this rocket arrived in just three days. The cardboard tube was a little crushed, but I didn’t think it was worth sending back. Assembly took me about an hour and a half, not including drying time for the glue and paint. I replaced the streamer with a longer one, nearly 7 feet, and always put some chalk in the tube before launching. Since it goes so high, the chalk helps us track it when it deploys. We usually use C6-5 motors, and they launch it impressively high. I might lose it when we try a D10-7W motor, but for just $8, the fun is worth the risk. This rocket has brought us a lot of joy, and I’d buy another if we lose it."

"For a class project, I bought several of these rockets. I would have preferred a parachute option instead of a streamer, but this one was the best value and skill level for an easy build. If you’re looking for altitude at a low cost, this kit is perfect. It’s small, but with a larger rocket motor, you might just lose it as it flies off into the wild blue yonder."

"I found this rocket to be very sturdy and it flew insanely high. The parachute deployed perfectly, and I enjoyed watching it sink slowly. It’s exactly what I wanted for my 5-year-old son and me."

"This was the easiest model rocket I've ever used. Assembly was a breeze, and it felt solid afterward. It performed extremely well, flying high and straight with the chute deploying as expected. My daughter and I had a great time."

"I think this rocket is a great first option. It's simple to assemble and launch, and everything worked as it should. The directions were easy to follow, and my 9-year-old could read them and put it together by themselves."

"I had a C6-0 booster and a C6-7 engine, and this rocket really took off! We launched it three times and I truly believe it exceeded 1000 feet. This kit includes everything needed for flight, except engines, launch pad, and igniter. For newcomers, I recommend starting with a complete beginner kit before moving on to this one. The instructions were a bit tricky at times, so pay close attention. Overall, a fantastic experience!"

"This rocket was a blast! I built a Mongoose years ago and now I'm helping my son with his. The assembly was simple and he had a great time putting it together. The purple body tube and yellow fins mean we don’t even need to paint it. It flies wonderfully and I know he’ll have years of fun with it!"

"I found this kit to be quick and easy to assemble, perfect for younger kids who want to see their rocket fly without the wait for paint or glue to dry. We’ve launched our Mongoose over 40 times and it performs exceptionally well. We even modified the parachute for quicker descents. This rocket is a performer and I can’t wait to try it at a larger field!"

"I hadn't launched a model rocket in over 30 years, so I was excited to start again. This kit is an amazing value, as it includes a launch pad, a launch ignition system, and two ready-to-fly rockets. Just buy some wadding and rocket motors, and you're good to go. We launched six times without any mishaps, and the rockets were safely recovered each time. I recommend starting with A8-3 engines for easier visibility and recovery!"

"I purchased an Estes Rocket for my kids a couple of years ago for Christmas. They had a lot of fun with it, but it was well-used. For their birthday, they wanted red and blue rockets. This set was perfect! Great price, two rockets, and minimal assembly. Unfortunately, both rockets were lost after the first launch when they used powerful engines, soaring incredibly high. We've decided to buy another set since the price is reasonable!"

"This is a fantastic kit for launching rockets with my grandchildren. It's straightforward to assemble, and I handle the engine setup while the kids enjoy the countdown and launch. The joy on their faces as the rockets soar over 300 feet into the air is priceless. I highly recommend Estes rockets, but remember to buy engines and initiators separately for each launch!"

"As a beginner, I found that this rocket is affordable and easy to assemble. It was inspiring to learn about the design and engineering behind it. Making it with my own hands felt rewarding, and I realized I could accomplish it as a young adolescent. This is definitely my top recommendation for first-time rocket builders."

"I love this series of rockets because they are perfect for those who enjoy flying rather than building and repairing. The tail fin assembly is a single, sturdy piece, which makes it easy to put together without the hassle of sanding or measuring. The resilience of the material ensures that they don’t break easily upon landing. Everyone, especially the kids, has a great time!"

"I was excited to launch this with my grandkids after doing rocketry with my kids years ago. We spent the weekend painting and assembling, then launched them at the park. It was a fantastic experience, although I noticed a slight cheapness in materials compared to the rockets from the '90s. Still, we had a blast, and the kids loved retrieving the rockets!"

"I find Big Daddy to be a real head-turner. It looks great and flies even better. The durability is amazing! While building it took some time, I appreciated the challenge. Just remember to use proper wood glue instead of Elmer's school glue. I had some minor issues with the fin decals; there just weren't enough for both sides of the fins, which was disappointing. Overall, it flies high and recovers easily, definitely one of my most reliable rockets!"

"Having built many Estes rockets as a kid, I was excited to build this one with my son. This kit stands out due to its high-power rocket construction and through-the-wall fin mounting. It's nearly impossible to mess up the fins, ensuring it flies straight and true. We loved experimenting with creative paint jobs. I will say that this rocket is kind of a gateway to more expensive models, but it's just so much fun!"

"I mainly picked this rocket for its large surface area to paint creatively. After seeing them launch at my club, I loved how it had a slow takeoff with a D motor. I did modify the shock cord attachment to use kevlar braided cord instead of the paper one, which I dislike. After some minor adjustments, I found that this rocket flies great!"