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How to Build Toy Jets

Demonstrate Newton̵7;s third law of motion with a fun jet plane project. Building a toy jet plane the family will play with for hours is a simple project made with commonly available materials. Help each child make a plane and race them to see which plane is fastest.

This simple toy is lots of fun and will teach some basic physics to your youngsters. The balloon jet shows the effects of Newton's third law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The compressed air in the balloon escapes behind the toy jet and the toy moves in a forward direction. This project is a cool toy and educational at the same time.

Things You'll Need

Balsa wood toy glider
Tape
Scissors
A ball of string
2 large paper clips
A balloon
2 chairs
Small clothespin

Instructions

Balsa Jet Racer
- 1
  Place two chairs on opposite ends of the room. Tie a string between the two chairs, making sure to keep it fairly taut.
- 2
  Open one end of each paper clip and bend it into a hook pointing out at a right angle to the rest of the paper clip.
- 3
  Slide the paper clips onto the body of the plane in front of the wings and in front of the tail. The paper clips will support the plane on the string.
- 4
  Blow up the balloon and twist the end. Put a clothespin on the end to hold the air in.
- 5
  Tape the balloon to the bottom of the plane.
- 6
  Operate the jet by placing the paper clip hooks onto the string and then removing the clothespin to let it fly.

Educational Toys