Things You'll Need:
- paper napkin or a lightweight handkerchief
- string or fishing line
- cork or bottle cap
- crayons or markers
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Step 1
The first step to building your homemade parachute is to decorate the outside of it. Take your crayons or markers and put a fancy design on one side of the napkin or handkerchief. A handkerchief is more durable, but the napkin will do if you do not have a handkerchief.
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Step 2
Next, you clip four pieces of string in equal lengths of fourteen inches each. String works fine, but fishing line is the more durable option.
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Step 3
Take the four pieces of string from part two, and tie them to each corner of your handkerchief. Tie them tightly so that they do not come loose. If the handkerchief is a throw away, then you might even cut some holes into the corners and tie them off that way.
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Step 4
Tie the dangling ends of the string that are left to the cork. Be sure that you tie them securely so that the parachute will keep its form while floating.
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Step 5
Standing on a chair, or from a high place drop the parachute by holding it in the center of the handkerchief with the cork dangling. Drop it and watch it float down to the ground!
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Step 6
There are many variations of this wonderful homemade parachute, so feel free to experiment with larger handkerchiefs or longer strings. Experiment and find the type that stays afloat the longest.
