how to make parachute for a toy soldier

How to Make Parachute for a Toy Soldier.

Parachutes are a great way to learn about gravity and air resistance. They are also a great way to pass the time, especially once you begin to experiment with different weights and sizes. If you already know how to make a simple parachute, why not try a larger, more advanced one instead?

1. Cut a large square out of a plastic bag. Make the square at least 8 inches (20 centimeters) on each side.

This parachute will only work on small toys, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) tall. Great toys include toy soldiers and Lego men. It won't work on dolls and bears.

2. Tie a knot into each corner of the square. This will help keep the strings on. Set the square aside when you are done.

3. Cut two long pieces of string. Each piece of string needs to be twice the length of you square. For example, if your square was 8 inches (20 centimeters) on each side, then the strings should be 16 inches (40 centimeters) long.

You can use yarn, fishing line, embroidery floss, or even thread!

4. Tie the end of each string to each corner of the square. Take your first string, and tie each end to a corner on the top of the square. Take your second string, and tie each end to the corners on the bottom.

Make sure that you are tying the strings behind the knots so that they don't slide off.

5. Slip a small toy through the loops. Find a small, plastic figure, like a toy soldier or Lego man. Slip the left loop under the left arm, and the right loop under the right arm. If the strings won't stay on, stick a piece of tape over them.

The toy should be 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) tall. If it's too big or heavy, the parachute won't work.

6. Toss the parachute. Hold the parachute by the toy, toss it upwards, and watch it float down! If you are allowed to, get onto a chair or staircase, and try again. This will give the parachute more time to fall down.

Things You'll Need.

Plastic bag.

Scissors.

String.

Small toy (ie: toy soldier or Lego man).

Tips

Make sure that the parachute doesn't have any rips or tears in it.

Color or camouflage the parachute to match your cargo!

Experiment with dropping the parachute from different heights.

The higher you are when you drop, the better the parachute will work. Drop it slowly; don't throw it downward.

You can cut your parachute into other shapes, like octagons or pentagons, but you will need more strings (one for each corner).

If the parachute won't fall straight, poke a small hole in the middle. This will cause the air to pass through it rather than off to the side.

If the parachute fell too fast, the item was probably too heavy. Try using something smaller. If you can't find a smaller item, make a bigger parachute.

Warnings.

Always make sure that there isn't anyone standing in the landing zone underneath the parachute.