Paper Gliders, Pinwheels, Spinners
Three simple toys to make out of paper
With these instructions and less than thirty minutes, kids can learn to make three simple toys.Once he has learned the tricks he will spend happy time playing.
Three simple toys to learn to make are a paper glider, a paper spinner and a pinwheel. All of these can be made with only paper, a drinking straw, a few paper clips, a straight pin, scissors, and a pencil. After a child learns these basic toys, he can occupy himself most anytime- any place.
Let's start with the glider. For each glider cut two strps of paper one inch wide--one nine inches long and the other six inches long. (medium weight construction paper works best.) Now form a loop with the shortest paper strip and pin it to the straw with the paper clip. Insert the small middle part of the paper clip inside the end of the straw holding the paper to the straw. Next attach the longer strip in a loop to the other end of the straw with a paper clip. The two loops should stand up from the side of the straw like sights on a gun barrel. Presto! Your glider is finished and ready to fly. Sail the glider forward - with the small loop out front. Your glider should soar beautifully. If it doesn't, try a different weight of paper or length of straw until you find the right proportions.
Now the pinwheel is simple too. You will need a pencil, a straight pin, a paper disk cut from a cardboard box (the size of the pencil eraser), and a square of heavy construction paper. Draw a dot in the center of the paper square. Next draw a line from each corner to the center. Cut along each line ALMOST to the center dot. Bend every other corner down to the center dot. Push a pin(or thumbtack) through the cardboard disk and into the side of the pencil's eraser. Ready, set , Blow!
The paper spinner will be a bit harder, but when finished is a fun toy. Out of stiff paper, cut a strip ten inches long and two inches wide. From the top cut down the center three inches. Next, on each side four inches from the bottom make a half inch cut across toward the center of the paper strip. Fold the rectangles this forms- one to each side, then fold up a one inch fold on the bottom of the stem. Fold one of the top flaps down to each side of the top of the paper to resemble helicopter blades. Hold the spinner by the stem and drop it from a high place. It will spin to the floor like samara -a seed pod from a maple tree.For a simpler version with a picture see this craft site.
If you like this activity try paper chains for younger children just learning to cut and paste.Would your child like to try some paper airplanes and gliders? Try this site more paper airplane instructions. You may have to make a trip to the store for more copier paper. Kids love paper airplanes!
