A model rocket is a small rocket

Rocket

A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...

 that is commonly advertised as being able to be launched by anybody, to, in general, low altitudes (usually to around 100–500 m (300–1500 ft) for a 30 g (1 oz.) model) and recovered by a variety of means.

According to the United States National Association of Rocketry

National Association of Rocketry

The National Association of Rocketry is the governing body for the sport/hobby of model rocketry in the United States. It was established in 1957 by Orville Carlisle and G. Harry Stine and is currently headed by Trip Barber. It is the oldest and largest model rocketry governing body in the...

 (NAR) Safety Code, model rockets are constructed of paper, wood, plastic and other lightweight materials.