Create a toy parachute
Making and flying your own parachute can be lots of fun. You can have races and competitions with your friends to see whose parachute can stay in the air the longest.
All you need is a small weight, like a steel nut, some string and a handkerchief.
Tie four pieces of string to the four corners of the handkerchief and bring all four ends of the string together. Tie a knot about 5cm from the ends of the string. Next, tie a large nut or metal washer to the ends of the string.
You can experiment with different weights to get it right. If the weight is too heavy, your parachute will not open properly and will come crashing to the ground. If the weight is too light, the handkerchief will just flutter to the ground.
To fly your parachute, take hold of it in the centre, so the four corners are hanging down with the strings below along with the weight. Swing the parachute around gently and throw it upwards into the air.
Once the parachute reaches a certain height, it will begin to fall. The parachute will open out and start to float earthwards. Sometimes, it may get caught in an updraft and actually float upwards!
