How to Make a Cardboard Helicopter

Cardboard helicopters are a fun activity to do with children. You can incorporate the construction and flying of the helicopters into a lesson plan on gravity. Simple cardboard helicopters can be colored and customized, allowing children to express themselves artistically and individually. Children will love to fly and share their creations while a teacher or adult explains the basic physics concepts that the helicopters demonstrate.

Cut a strip of cardboard or card stock into a long rectangle; 8-inch-by-1-inch works well. Lightly label one end of the cardboard strip "A" and the other end "B" with a pencil.

Cut a 1/3-inch slit 2 inches down from the A end on the right side. Cut a 1/3 inch slit 2 inches above the B end on the left side. The cuts should be on opposite sides.

Hold the ends of the cardboard and twist the cardboard strip in the center to enable you to bring ends A and B together. Slide the slits together.

Add a paper clip underneath the joined slits to keep them together and to provide weight for this rudimentary cardboard helicopter. Standard paper clips or butterfly paper clips can be used. Erase labels A and B from the helicopter wings.

Bend the "wings" slightly and hold up the helicopter. Drop to allow it to fly and twist to the ground. Adjust "wings" and paper clip as needed.

Download the free helicopter template from heatherinks.com/kids. Click on the link for the Helicopter Craft Template and then right-click on the worksheet image and select "Save Image As." Save the file to a location that you will remember.

Print the helicopter craft on standard paper, trace it onto cardboard or card stock, or print directly onto card stock. Cut out the template.

Customize the helicopter by coloring with crayons, markers, paints, or other craft materials. Consider adding windows and doors to the helicopter.

Cut two slits in the helicopter along the small lines underneath the wings. The slits will be at slightly different angles.

Fold the helicopter and insert the slits into each other. Add a paper clip under the slits to hold the helicopter together and add weight for flying. Bend or fold wings out slightly as desired. Hold helicopter in the air and drop to fly. Adjust wings and paper clip as necessary.