How to Make a Toy Parachute for a LEGO Man

Making a toy parachute for a Lego man or any toy figure for that matter is more than just a way to keep the kids busy. It can help children learn the effects of aerodynamics in the process of play. The toy parachute can be made smaller or larger to accommodate any size action figure or small toy cars and trucks. Making a toy parachute for a Lego man will give hours of enjoyment for your child. And if you're not careful, you may find yourself wanting to wrap that little guy up in the parachute and toss him into the air.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scissors
• 14 by 14-inch square piece of plastic trash bag or shopping bag
• 4 pieces of string 18 inches long
• Lego man

Making the Plastic Parachute

1. Use the scissors to cut a piece of plastic shopping bag or trash bag as described in the list along with the four pieces of string

2. Tie a loop on both ends of the piece string. The loop should be about 1 inch in diameter. You will use this loop to attach the plastic parachute and the Lego man.

3. Pass the single strand of string through the loop. This will form a cinch loop to hold one corner of the square piece of plastic.

4. Pull the corner of the plastic parachute into the cinch loop, approximately one inch long, and pull the string tight to secure the plastic inside the cinch loop. Perform this attachment to the other three corners. When completed you should have all four strings attached to each corner of the plastic parachute.

5. Attach the Lego man by slipping the loops on the other end of the strings under his arms. Two string loops for each arm where the parachute runs in parallel with the string. You can cross the strings and this will make the Lego man spin to the ground as it descends. If the strings have a difficulty staying in position you can cinch loop the string as you did the plastic parachute.

Launching Lego Man

6. Grasp the center of the plastic parachute with the thumb and index finger of one hand. With the other hand smooth down the chute as you pass your hand over the plastic and move down past the strings.

7. Swing the Lego man by the top center of the plastic parachute in a circular motion and let him go at the top of the spin. The Lego man and parachute should fly upwards for a few feet until the air catches the chute and opens. Lego man should softly glide back down to earth.

8. Follow the instructions for Step 1 of launching Lego man. But instead of throwing the chute, carefully fold the parachute in half lengthwise.

9. Place the folded chute against the Lego man and wrap one round of string around the chute and the action figure.

10. Throw the Lego man underhanded as high as you can. As the Lego man descends, the parachute should unfold and the plastic chute will catch the air

Tips & Warnings

• You can make the parachute bigger for large action figures and toy cars.
• Stay away from trees and power lines as these two culprits have been known to eat many of plastic parachutes and their riders.