Make a paper helicopter that actually flies! This is an awesome paper STEM challenge for young kids and older ones too. Learn about what helps helicopters rise into the air, with a few simple supplies. We have loads more fun STEM activities for you to try!
Paper Helicopter STEM Challenge
Get your kids thinking about forces in motion with this simple helicopter activity. STEM for kids doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.
Some of the best STEM activities are also the cheapest! Keep it fun and playful, and do not make it too difficult, as it takes forever to complete.
Take up the challenge to make a paper helicopter with our easy paper helicopter instructions below. Find out what makes a helicopter able to lift off from the ground and see how high and long you can get your own paper helicopter to fly.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Physics Activities For Kids
FREE Printable Paper Helicopter Project!
How To Make A Paper Helicopter
Supplies:
- Helicopter template
- Cardstock
- Push pin
- Scissors
- Wine cork
Instructions:
STEP 1: Print the paper helicopter template and cut out the cardstock.
STEP 2: Fold it into a pinwheel shape.
STEP 3: Use the push pin to secure the pinwheel and attach to the wine cork. This will provide weight to your design.
STEP 4: Take your paper helicopter outside and toss into the air! How long can it stay in the air?
The Science Behind the Paper Helicopter
Unlike airplanes, helicopters have rotor blades that spin horizontally. It is the spinning of the blades that creates lift, which is an upward force of air.
When your pinwheel helicopter falls, it is due to the force of the earth’s gravity. Lift, and the design of the rotors help it stay in the air.
It naturally falls to the ground, which causes the paper to bend slightly upward due to lift. When your paper helicopter falls, air pushes up against the blades with equal force, and the shape causes the copter to spin. This is because the blades are designed so that the incoming air is captured and pushes the blades in one direction.
STEM Questions for Reflection
These reflection questions are perfect for kids of all ages to discuss how the challenge went and what they might do differently next time.
Use these questions for reflection with your kids after they have completed the STEM challenge to encourage discussion of results and critical thinking.
Older kiddos can use these questions as a writing prompt for a STEM notebook. For younger kiddos, use the questions as a fun conversation!
- What were some of the challenges you discovered along the way?
- What worked well and what did not work well?
- What would you do differently next time?
Helpful STEM Resources
Here are a few resources that will help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
More Fun STEM Activities to Try
Also try one of these easy engineering projects below. It’s fun to build things that go!
- Build your own mini hovercraft that actually hovers.
- Design an airplane launcher to catapult one of these paper plane designs.
- Investigate what factors affect how fast a parachute falls.
- A good breeze and a few materials are all you need to tackle this DIY kite project.
- It’s a fun chemical reaction that makes this bottle rocket take off.
- Make a paper rocket with free rocket template.
- Make a balloon-powered car out of recyclables, or try a balloon rocket!
Printable STEM Pack For Kids
80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack!
- Full instructions with sample images
- Activity-specific instruction sheets
- Data Collection Sheets
- Questions for Reflection
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- Great marshmallow challenge: A classic challenge kids love!
- Real-world STEM challenge lesson but don’t know where to start? Our easy-to-follow template shows the steps!
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- Crossword and word search with engineering vocabulary.
- Engineering vocabulary cards
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