Home >> Toys >> Other Toys

How to Make Small Homemade Hovercraft Toys

A hovercraft, also known as an air-cushion vehicle, can travel over smooth surfaces such as water, land or ice. It is supported by a cushion of pressurized air. Large hovercrafts are often used for specialized purposes such as emergencies, while smaller ones can be used for passenger transport. You can build your own smaller version of a hovercraft for personal use.

Things You'll Need

Margarine container lid
Balloons
Wooden single-holed thread spool
Scissors
Plasticine
Glue

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a hole no larger than 2 mm in diameter into the center of the margarine container lid.
- 2
  Affix one of the ends of the thread spool to the margarine container lid using glue. Align the hole at the center of the thread spool with the hole in the margarine lid.
- 3
  Allow about two hours for the glue to dry.
- 4
  Wrap a ring of Plasticine around the bottom edge of the wooden thread spool to keep air from escaping from around the sides as well as to anchor the spool to the lid.
- 5
  Blow up a balloon and twist the end several times to stop air from escaping.
- 6
  Stretch out the balloon's mouthpiece around the thread spool and pull it over the entire spool and all the way down to the bottom of the spool.
- 7
  Set the hovercraft over the selected body of water. Release the hovercraft and balloon. The balloon will untwist to allow the hovercraft to glide on the water.
- 8
  Use the same balloon if it is undamaged or replace the balloon to propel the hovercraft again.

Other Toys