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How To Make a Toy Parachute

Build a toy parachute for a fun craft, science project with the kids.
Build a toy parachute for a fun craft, science project with the kids.
8/5/21 - By Ally Noel

Toys are awesome, but homemade toys are even better, especially ones that are as easy to make as this toy parachute. Gather some commonly found household items to create your very own toy parachute in minutes. It's also a great hands-on science experiment for kids.

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After all, these parachutes are more than just a toy; they are a great way to get some hands-on learning about gravity and air resistance. You can extend this activity by experimenting with different materials to see how that affects the length of the flight. Take your parachute outside and observe how natural forces such as wind and air temperature change the way your parachute moves through the air. 

Materials Needed for Toy Parachute

  • Plastic Bag 
  • Yarn
  • Paper Cup 
  • Scissors  

How to Make a Toy Parachute 

Step 1

Remove the handles from a plastic bag with a pair of scissors. 

Step 2

Poke four holes around the plastic bag. The holes should be about the same distance apart and on opposite sides of the bag.  

Step 3

Cut four holes around the rim of a paper cup. 

Step 4

Cut four pieces of yarn, each about 12 inches long.

Step 5

Thread one end of a piece of yarn through the hole in the plastic cup and tie the yarn to the cup with a knot. Repeat with all four strands of yarn in the remaining holes. 

Step 6

Thread the other end of the pieces of yarn through the hole in the plastic bag and tie a knot. 

Step 7

Decorate your cup with stickers, paint, or crayons if you like.

Step 8

Launch your parachute into the air! We brought ours outside and launched it off the deck in the backyard.  

Experiment with putting different objects into the paper cup and see how that affects the parachute's flight time. Do you think it will fall faster or slower? 

You can also try creating the parachute with different materials, such as a paper towel or napkin, and watching how each flies!

Find more science experiments and rainy day indoor activities for kids on Mommy Poppins.