Make a DIY parachute using household items, then try dropping it for a fun and educational STEM experiment that kids will love.
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If you have a staircase or balcony in your house, you’ve probably found your children curious about what happens if they drop something from up high.
Harness that curiosity and made a DIY parachute that they can test and experiment with! This simple craft is made with household items. Make one or a few, then do STEM experiments to talk about how objects fall and a parachute can slow them down.
We’ve got a simple parachute tutorial below, plus lots of fun ways to change it up and turn it into a learning activity.
A parachuting LEGO minifigure is a bit difficult to photograph, but oh-so-satisfying to watch!
STEM activities with parachutes
Make the simple parachute toy below for a fun play idea! You can also use this as a starting point for some STEM learning fun.
Make a chart and test each thing you change:
- What makes it fall faster? Slower?
- Is a bigger or smaller parachute better?
- If you can drop from different heights, how does that affect the parachute?
You can see results by dropping the parachute from a fairly low height. We tried an adult holding it above their heads and a child throwing the parachute up from the ground.
An indoor or outdoor staircase or balcony is perfect. A treehouse (or just a tree) works well too. Keep in mind that the wind will affect your parachute outdoors. We had one go over the fence into a neighbor’s yard!
Test constructions materials
Try different materials to make the parachute. We made ours from tissue paper, but you could also experiment with a plastic bag, fabric, or paper. Coffee filters work well and offer a different shape.
Use different figures
Our LEGO minifigure was a simple and lightweight crash test dummy for this experiment. If you don’t have one, try a plastic army man or a similar small toy.
For other ideas, make a tiny person from a lightweight material like a pipe cleaner or cardboard. You could even make a little basket to attach instead of a character.
Talk about science
Learn about gravity – the thing pulling your figure down to the ground – and air resistance – what makes the parachute slow down your fall.
Find out how to calculate terminal velocity – the fastest an object can fall.
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How to make a parachute toy
Supplies
- tissue paper
- scissors
- ruler
- yarn
- mini rubber bands
- LEGO minifigure or another small action figure
Instructions
1. Cut the tissue paper into a 12×12-inch square.
2. Cut 4 pieces of yarn 12 inches long each and use a tiny rubber band to attach each one to the corner of the tissue paper.
3. Tie the yarn ends together in 2 pairs, then loop them under the arms of the minifigure.
Your DIY parachute toy is ready to go!
Have fun learning how to make the best DIY parachute. Test different materials and learn what makes a parachute fall fast or slow. Have fun with this simple STEM activity. It’s the perfect addition to your summer fun at home!
Play, craft, and learn all summer long
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