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How to Make Small Throwing Parachute Toys

An open parachute drifting toward the ground is fascinating to watch. Creating a toy parachute is a safer alternative to actually parachuting from an great height. Parachutes make great toys and science experiments. Toy soldiers, cars and wooden blocks are easily attached to a home-made parachute.

Toy parachutes are frequently made from plastic bags or tissue paper. But for a sturdier model, use ripstop nylon and hem the edges.

Things You'll Need

Plastic bag or light cloth
Scissors
String
Ruler or tape measure
Hand sewing-needle and thread
Toy soldier or other weighted toy
Paper clip

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the plastic bag or light cloth into shape. An 18-inch square is simple and works well. Try a pentagon or octagon for a more complex parachute.
- 2
  Cut a one-inch hole in the center of the parachute. This hole allows air to escape as the parachute falls, permitting the parachute to drift straight down.
- 3
  Cut the string into 24-inch pieces; one for each corner.
- 4
  Attach one piece of string to each corner of the parachute. For the simplest parachute, tie the corner to the string. For advanced models, fold the corner under and hand-stitch the string to the cloth. If you are using ripstop nylon, hem the edges, sewing the string into the hem at the corners.
- 5
  Tie the strings to the toy soldier. For a removable parachute, tie the strings to a paper clip. Tie a short piece of string into a loop, and use it as a harness for the soldier. Clip the harness and soldier to the paper clip.
- 6
  Hold the parachute in the center, and fold the sides down. Roll the parachute around the toy soldier and into a ball.
- 7
  Throw the parachute as high as possible to give the cloth time to unwind.

Educational Toys